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INDEX 


PAGE. 

Nina’s Childhood Days 5 

The Kivals 13 

Sarah’s Wedding 25 

Gruy Boyd 29 

A Dark Day 36 

Guy Visits Hilt Home Again 40 

Tom Ware 42 

Guv Leaves The Village 49 

Guy’s Last Visit 53 

Three Missing Letters ,61 

Nina’s Visit To Her Sister _65 

Nina In School Again 69 

Clara’s Visit And Death of Mrs. Boyd 72 

Clara’s Wedding 82 

Nina at Johnson’s Bedside 86 

Nina’s Proffession of Religion .88 

Robert Jones 90 

Nina’s Wedding i02 

Nina’s New Home 109 

Polly Sent to The Poor-House 

Christmas Day 115 

The Cyclone And Death of Mr. Jones 117 

Nina Returns to Live at Hilt Home 124 

The Jones Will Case 

Nina Reminded, pi Her :HixslJvnd s Waming;^ 131 

J ames Anderson. 139 

Nina Visits Memphis 145 

At Home Agaip,.. 

Prof. Mitchel at Hilt HPui8..L...;...L:.J.:.:...:.Lj.l.._151 

Engagement of Nina And James 158 

Nina Moves to the City 163 

Nina And Clara Visit Hilt Home„ 164 

Mr. And Mrs. Hilt Visit Nina 167 

Clara’s Death 169 

Death of Mr. l^"M^sr'mCZZZlZZlZ 
Conclusion 177 


LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two CoDles Received 

APR 16 1904 

Coo.vrlg’ht Entry 

CLASS ^XXc. No. 

^ ^ 1 0 

COPY B 





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NINA HILT, 

BY 


ELIZABETH HALL AKIN. 


NINA HILT 


T? 5 

.A 515 

CHAPTER I. 

NINA^S CHILDHOOD DAYS. 

]\rr. Hilt, with his wife and seven children, 
lived in a very beautiful home in Western Ken- 
tucky. The house was a large, two-story build- 
ing and was confronted by a long lawn, which was 
covered with stately forest trees and evergreens, 
and also many beautiful plants and flowers be- 
decked the lawn. 

This home was known as Hilt Home. 

Mr. Hilt was a very hospitable gentleman, and 
Ids hospitality was known far and near. His wife 
was loved by all who knew her. And, in fact, this 
was a happy family until the sad angel of death 
came very unexpectedly to their home one morn- 
ing and took away the devoted wife and mother. 

Mr. Hilt felt that there was a great responsibil- 
ity resting on him after the death of Mrs. Hilt, 
now that he had the sole care of seven motherless 
children. It is true that the two older ones, John- 
son and Mary, were almost grown, but they were 
yet children in their ways; neither of them had 
ever known what trouble or care was before, as 
their mother had borne it all for them. 

Henry and Sarah were the next oldest, and then 
Lee, Xina and Xarlington, the baby, just ten 
months old. 

Mr. Hilt’s negroes had been freed three years 
before, and now he didn’t have a servant that he 
could feel willing to risk his baby with. But 


NINA HILT. 


5 


in a sliort time he procured a white woman to 
keep house for him. Her work was very unsatis- 
factory to Mr. Hilt. But with a great effort he 
managed to ^‘put up” with her poor housew^ork for 
one 3^ear, and then he decided that he could not 
live in this manner any longer. He determined 
to marry a lady wliom he thought would be a 
mother to his children. So the housekeeper was 
dismissed and tlie new wufe and mother came to 
Hilt House, and cared for the little children as 
though they were her own. 

Baby Narlington was soon very fond of her. 
Xina also loved her new mother; but as she was 
just three years old w^hen her mother died she 
learned to love her oldest sister, Mary, as a mother. 
Mary w^as also very fond of Nina. 

Nina’s hair was veiy dark, and curled in ringlets 
all over her head; her face was round, very fair, 
wuth rosy cheeks, and her eyes were a very’ 
dark blue. She was also the pet of her father, as 
he often said she was the image of her mother. 
And he humored her every w’ant and wish. Nina 
was with ^lary continually, w'hether she went 
walking, riding or driving. And she thought 
everything Mary did w’as perfect. 

Mary is fourteen years old; although she is 
very young, she is in love with one of her cousins, 
J ohn Lynn, whom her father or mother do not like 
for her to associate with, for they could not toler- 
ate a marriage between them, as they do not ap- 
prove of cousins marrying. Often Mary would go 
walking or to visit some of her friends, and John, 
in this wa3% was with her a great deal. He would 
frequently walk nearly home with her, but would 
not dare go in sight of Hilt Home. Nina, of 


6 


NINA HILT. 


course, always accompanied lier sister on these 
walks. But she never told father or mother that 
Cousin John walked with sister, as Mary would 
always say to her as John turned to leave them: 
‘‘N^ina, dear, you must not tell father or mother 
that Cousin John walked with us today.” Nina 
loved Mary so dearly that she did everything Mary 
told her to do. I "can imagine how little Nina 
looked bobbing her little curly head and jumping 
about as she said, “No, sister, I won’t tell,” and 
that was all Mary wanted, for she never knew 
Nina to tell a story. 

Little did Nina know what these walks and 
talks would lead to, or she never would have prom- 
ised Mary not to tell her father. But the sad news 
was broken to her father by a dear friend of his one 
day that John and Mary were preparing to run 
away and get married. 

That evening Mary was called to her father’s 
room, and Mr. Hilt said : “I heard some very sad 
news today, my daughter, and I want you to tell 
me if this be true, that you and John Lynn are 
arranging to run away and get married ?” 

Then Mary said, with tears streaming from her 
eyes: “No, father, I will never marry John 
I>ynn.” 

Mr. Hilt said: “NoW', Mary, if this isn’t true 
it is all right, but if it is true, it will certainly 
grieve my heart. How well I remember how very 
much your dear mother— who has left us and gone 
to heaven — opposed cousins marrying. I have 
often heard her say that she had rather bury one 
of her children than to have them marry a cousin.” 
This touched Mary’s heart very forcibly, and she 
said again : “No, father, I promise you now that 


NINA HILT. 


7 


I will never marry Cousin John.” 

!Mr. Hilt believed that Mary meant just what she 
said. 

But the next time Mary saw John Lynn she told 
him all her father had said. Then John said: 
‘‘Xever mind, my own, dear Mary, we will just 
show the old man whether this report be true or 
not. If you will only trust and love me,” and then 
he stooped down and kissed her cheek. 

Poor Mary, so young and child-like, after lis- 
tening to his pleadings and great flow of loving 
words, forgot her promise to her father, and agreed 
to go with John. 

Then they commenced to plan how they would 
get away from the old folks, and John thought of 
his niece, Willie Owen, who was a great schemer. 
He wrote her to come at once. 

Willie lived in the city of M , some twenty 

miles away. When she got John’s letter to come 
at once, and help him steal Mary, she was delight- 
ed, as she always enjoyed such tricks very much. 
She hurried to pack her grip, and started on her 
journey immediately. 

When she arrived at John Lynn’s home, she 
found John at the gate, who met her with a glad 
welcome. She was tired from her long journey, as 
she had driven through, but she was still quite 
jolly and laughed and talked all at the same time. 

John soon told her all and laid the case plain be- 
fore her. And then he told her if she would steal 
Mary he would make her a handsome present. 

Willie said : will sure do it.” 

So Willie went to Hilt Home and spent the next 
afternoon with Nina. And invited Mary to go 
and spend the night with her. But this plan 


•niH VKIK 


8 

didn’t work, as Mr. Hilt said he would rather 
]Mary would stay at home. 

Willie then said she would stay and spend the 
night with Mary. 

About dusk the two girls and Nina were in the 
yard. And now they had to devise some plan to 
get rid of Nina. 

Willie told Nina to run in Mary’s room and get 
Cousin Willie’s handkerchief for her. 

Away went Nina as fast as her feet could carry 
her. Upstairs and downstairs and back to the 
lawn she went. But Mary and Willie were not in 
sight. 

Nina called and cried for Mary, but no answer 
came, and she never saw Mary Hilt any more, for 
that night her name was changed to Mary Lynn. 

That was a night of mourning at Hilt Home. 
Tears flowed from every eye. Nina refused to be 
comforted, for she felt like she had lost another 
mother. Sarah and Nina went to bed with sad 
hearts. But soon they fell asleep. And when 
they awoke the next morning their sister Mary was 
far away from them. 

Mary’s heart almost sank within her when she 
thought of her mother’s baby girl and how she had 
torn away from her, and deceived her little, trust- 
ing heart. And then she thought of how happy 
she had been at home before John had begun to 
make love to her. She would almost give her life 
if she could return home Just as she was the day 
she left. And oh, when she thinks of her father’s 
pleading words to her, and remembers her solemn 
promise to him, she repents bitterly. But, alas, it 
is too late! She can never undo what has been 


NINA HILT. 


0 


done. She has pledged licrself to John Lynn for 
life. 

:ie sfe ***** He 

Sarah and Nina had quite different dispositions. 
Sarah is very quiet and refined, while Nina has a 
word for everybody. 

Sarah was twelve and Nina seven years old when 
^lary left them. Both go to the village school one 
mile away. The road to the school was a long, 
straight lane with trees and flowers along the road- 
side — just a nice walk for them. And they were 
very happy, except when they would think of 
Mary, who ought to have remained at home and 
cared for lier sisters. But, instead, she rarely 
ever sees them. Occasionally she saw them at 
church, but didn’t get to talk to them, as father 
hasn’t forgiven her yet. And she didn’t go home 
for two years after she was married. Oh, how 
long these years seemed to Mary. 

She lived almost in sight of Hilt Home, and 
passed there frequently, and looked so wistfully at 
her once dear old home, which now she was not 
permitted to enter. 

^Mary and John had given up all hopes of get- 
ting ^Ir. Hilt’s forgiveness, and at last decided to 
move to Texas. 

When Mr. Hilt heard that John and Mary were 
preparing to move away it was more than he could 
stand. So he sent for Mary to come home. 

Oh, how Mary’s heart rejoiced when she received 
the news that she was wanted at home, at her fath- 
er’s house, from whence she left two long years 
ago, so bitterly against his will. She hurried to 
go, and took with her a little girl baby, two months 
old, whom she called Lyda. 


10 


NINA HILT. 


Mr. Hilt met Islury at the front lawn gate and 
kissed her. Then he went into the house, sat down 
and cried heartily, and then he fainted, but he was 
soon relieved by the use of camphor and hard ruh- 
hing. 

After this all went on nicely at Hilt Home that 
day. Nina was never so happy before. She 
thought little Lyda was the dearest thing on earth. 
Sarah also loved Lyda, but didn’t make a display 
of her love like Nina. Late in the afternoon Mary 
and Lyda returned to their little home on the hill. 

J ohn came out to meet her, but she could scarce- 
ly tell him how very happy she was, for tears of 
joy were streaming from her eyes. 

At last she said: “Oh, John, I have had such a 
delightful time today. I wish you could have been 
with me. Father said you could come with me the 
next time. The little girls, and especially Nina, 
were so glad to see me. In fact, John, it seems 
strange to me how I ever made up my mind to go 
off and leave dear little Nina. Poor little thing! 
To think motlier died and left her when she was so 
young, and then I just tore her from me and ran 
off and left her. You know, John, how very mucli 
she loved me. Well, I hope God will forgive me 
for it.” 

“Well, I suppose then, Mary, you love Nina 
more than you love me.” 

“0, I didn’t say that, John, but you know how 
small she was when we married.” 

“Well, that is not answering my question, Mary. 
Which do you love the best, Nina or me?” 

“John, don’t be silly. You know I ought to 
love you the best.” 

“But you don’t. I know you don’t, for you 


NINA HILT. 


11 


;ire always talking about your little sister, Nina. 
I'here are plenty at home to care for her, and I 
don’t see why you should always be worrying about 
her ! I get tired of a thing sometime.” 

‘'Let’s drop this subject, John. I want to tell 
you some more about home.” 

•‘Isn’t this your home?” 

“0, John, you are so cross. Of course this is 
my home, but 1 meant father’s home, and Nina’s 
home.” 

“There it is — Nina again. I won’t listen to 
you, ^lary. Goodbye, Mrs. Lynn.” 

“I do believe John is jealous of Nina. I knew 
he was jealous of everybody else, but who would 
liave thought he would be jealous of this poor little 
motherless child ? I guess he thinks I will quit 
talking about her, but he is sjully mistaken.” 
John has been standing near the door, but Mary 
didn’t know he was there. He stepped out in 
front of the door and said: 

“^[ary, who are you talking to?” 

“To myself, John. I believe you are about to 
run me crazy. I know it sounds real silly to hear 
an 3 'one talk to themselves, but you wouldn’t listen 
to me, and you know women will talk, and you or 
any other man need not attempt to stop them.” 

“Well, Mary, we won’t quarrel any more, and I 
have some good news. Mr. Hilt wants us to come 
over in the morning a little while; he wants to see 
us on business. He sent this note by a boy. Here 
it is. Lead it:” 

'"Dear Mary: 

“I want you and John to drive over for a short 
while tomorrow morning. I have a little business 
to lay before you. So, don’t pack any of your 


12 


NINA HILT. 


fjoods tonight. T.ovingly, your 

^^Fatiier.’’ 

Mary said : ^‘ 0 , John ! I wonder what father 

wants with us. I am so happy ! I do wish we 
were not going to Texas.” 

‘•You do, Mary? I have heard 3^011 say a num- 
ber of times you wished you were a thousand miles 
away from here.” 

“Yes, but that was before father let me come 
home. LeFs go to bed, John, and perhaps we will 
dr(‘am about what father wants with us.” 

John and Mary retired early. John soon was 
sound asleep, but for ^lary there was no sleep that 
night. She tossed from one side of her bed to 
the other, she was so impatient to see one ray of 
light. To her it seemed the longest night she ever 
spent. 

At the first break of da}% Mary called John, 
and they arose, ^lary prepared breakfast, while 
John fed the horses, cattle and hogs. 

When all the morning work was done, they 
started to Hilt Home. All was in readiness for 
them wdien they arrived. Mr. Hilt was waiting 
for them. He was somewhat nervous this morn- 
ing, as he himself had not slept well the night be- 
fore. But he must proceed with his business. 

He said : “Mary and John, I have studied this 
matter well — that is, of your moving to Texas, and 
I don’t think it is the proper thing for you to do. 

“I wdll make you this offer, if you will not go. 
(Clary’s heart leaped with joy.) I will deed you a 
little farm and help 3'ou build a house. Now, you 
can decide for yourselves about this. But I would 
much prefer you would remain in Kentucky.” 

At first John did not want to accept the propo- 


NiJfA lULT. 


la 

sition, but Mary’s pleading eyes won liim over, and 
after some moments of Imsitation, he said: 

‘*[ am inelined to think I could do better in an- 
other State, but perhaps I am mistaken, and if you 
tliink it best — and I know Mary wants to stay, for 
she said so last night — I will not go/’ 

‘•Oh, thank you, Jolin,” said Mary. “I believe 
you do love me some.” 

Xiria clapped her hands with delight. She was 
so glad ^Fary was not going so far away. 

Very soon the deed was made, and a neat little 
cottage was built. 

John and Mary felt like they were at home once 
more, and now the Texas fever was a thing of the 
past. 

Xina was a frequent visitor at ^Faiw’s home, 
and she spent many hours playing with Lyda. 


CHAPTER IF. 

THE RIVALS. 

UHien Sarah comiileted her education, she de- 
termined to teach school. She applied for the 
village school and began teaching in September. 

Xina felt quite lonely at home, but managed to 
entertain herself by helping her mother do the 
housework, sewing, tending the flowers, raising the 
fowls, etc. 

She had quite a number of visitors, and also 
visited a great deal herself. She tried to get all 
out of life she could. She is now sixteen years 
old, and frequently some of her boy schoolmates 
call to see her. She thinks she is quite a child 
yet, and says she doesn’t expect to wed until she 
is a grown-up lady, for she was thoroughly dis- 
gusted at Mary’s marrying so young. And, of 


I 


14 NINA HILT. 

courso, slio will wait until Sarah gets married, as 
Sarah is live years her senior. But the present 
])rospects are that she won’t have to wait on Sarah 
long, as Sarah has two very attentive Ixiaux — Will 
Kvans and Joe Smith. 

Will is very tall and large, ^veighing two hun- 
dred pounds. He has very light hair and blue 
eyes. 

* Joe is just the opposite, being low, tolerably 
heavy, has dark hair and brown eyes. And his toi- 
let is always perfect, while Will doesn’t lose much 
time making his toilet. 

Joe is Xina’s favorite, and she is anxious for 
Sarah to marry him. 

Sarah has been engaged to Joe for two years, 
and Joe didn’t think she cared for anyone else 
hut him. He lived near Hilt Home, and saw 
Sarah quite often. He has somewhat of a jeal- 
ous disposition; he doesn’t want Sarah to even 
talk to any other gentleman, and he did not 
think she even cared to. 

Sarah had seen the fruits of jealousy since 
Mary and John married, and declared she would 
never marry a jealous man. She had suspicioned 
that Joe was jealous, so she thought she would 
just try him and see* 

One day she met Will Evans. Will told her 
he would like very much to come by and take 
her to church that evening if agreeable with her. 
Sarah thought this a good time to find if Joe 
was jealous, so she accepted Will’s company. 

Will came at the appointed time, and soon after 
Joe came. Both came to go with Sarah. But Joe 
liad not told Sarah that he was coming, for he 
considered that he was to escort her wherever she 


NINA HILT. 


15 


went, and so be came this evening as usual. Sarah 
was very much confused, to say the least of it. 
^\'hat to do she hardly knew, and she wished her- 
self far away from there at this critical time. She 
saw the fire flash from Joe^s brown eyes, and he 
was in a quiver from head to foot. Sarah could 
not stand to look at him any longer; she knew 
something had to he done. Just tlien Will walked 
up, took her by the arm and went boldly out, and 
didn’t stop until they reached the church. And 
to their utter astonishment Joe was close behind 
them. This was enough proof for Sarah that Joe 
was very jealous hearted, and she thought to her- 
s(‘lf she would never marry Joe Smith, for he 
would wreck her life forever. 

Xina felt sorry for Joe, as she didn’t think 
Sarah had treated him with the least bit of cour- 
tesy. Joe didn’t remain for services that evening, 
hut went to find Xina. He was well aware of 
the fact that she was his friend, and he went to 
her in time of trouble. Joe tofd Nina all, and 
cried like a child. 

Xina’s sympathy was very much aroused for 
Joe, and she promised to do all she could for 
him. Then Joe bade X^ina goodbye, and left 
with his heart feeling much lighter than it did 
when he came to tell Xina the sad news, for 
.\ina told him that she thought it would turn 
out all right, and that she was sure Sarah loved 
him- 

As Joe went out the Hilt lawn gate he met 
Sarah and Will returning from church. 

Joe stopped and said: 

‘‘Sarah, I would like to speak to you privately 
just one minute.” 


10 


NINA HILT. 


Will walked a few and waited for Sarah. 
Joe said, ‘‘Sarah, wl\y do you treat me in this 
manner? Will you permit me to call and see you 
tomorrow morning?’’ 

Sarah said she would, and walked on without 
another word. This made Joe madder than ever 
and he said harshly: 

“Sarah, you seem to be in a hurry this evening,” 
but Sarah answered not. 

Nina was ready for Sarah when she came into 
tlic parlor. Nina said: 

“You have treated poor Joe very rude tonight, 
Sarah; I never felt so sorry for anyone in my life. 
Why, he actually cried like a whipped child while 
lie was talking to me and I came very near crying 
myself. Hoav would you like to be treated in this 
manner? Remember, it is written in God’s Holy 
Bible for us to ‘Do unto others as we would have 
others do unto us.” 

“Well, Nina, how much is Joe Smith paying you 
to fight his battles,” said Sarah; “I am sure it 
must be a great deal, for you are pleading his case I 
like a lawyer in a criminal case. Will you just 
please leave this to us, and I will settle it my 
way.” 

“Your way! I suppose your way is to jilt Joe 
Smith for that big, awkward Will Evans,” said 
Nina. “Sarah, your taste and mine are quite 
different; indeed it is. If I were you I would sure 
marry Joe in preference to Will Evans.” 

“Well, Nina, if you think Joe such a nice gen- 
tleman, why don’t you get up a case with him' 
yourself?” 

“Just because he wouldn’t make my style of a 


NINA HILT. 


17 


husband. I could have gotten up a case with him 
when I returned home from school last spring, but 
1 positively refused to accept any attention from 
him whatever.” 

‘‘Nina, you surely don’t mean to say that Joe 
Smith wanted to make love to you when he and 1 
were already engaged. Do tell me how do you 
know he did, and who told you ? Did he, himself ?” 

‘‘Well, Sarah, you remember when I returned 
from school Joe Smith hadn’t been here but a 
short while, and I think, Sarah, you are surely 
mistaken about you and Joe being engaged on 
such a short acquaintance. T knew he had been to 
see you several tin»es, but I don’t believe you were 
engaged.” 

“Well, that don’t matter whether we were en- 
gaged at that time or not- Go on and answer my 
(piestion,” said Sarah. 

“Very well. I will tell you, Sarah, but please 
don’t tell Joe when you and he make up,” Nina 
said. 

“I promise, Nina, for I never expect to tell him 
anything of importance again.” 

“Oh, T suspect you will. You remember that 
beautiful spring day when I came home from 
school, for 1 suppose you had told Joe something 
al)out my coming home, as Narlington heard Joe 
telling a friend of his that he had been visiting 
Wiss Sarah Hilt, and he understood that her 
vounger sister, Nina, would return from school 
that day and he was going to set to her. 

“Soon after I met him he tried to make a date 
.vith me, but I positively refused to accept his com- 
)any.” 

“Why so, Nina, did you not think he was worthy 


NINA HILT. 


18 

of your company?’’ 

didn’t say he was not. Let’s not talk about 
this any longer. There is something of a great 
deal more importance to us both. Tell me, Sarah, 
are you in love with Will Evans?” 

^*1 am not now, but perhaps I will be some day,” 
Sarah said. 

“Well, I cannot say that T admire your taste in 
your choice of a lover. Did Joe tell you he was 
coming around to see you in the morning?” 

“No; he asked me if he could come.” 

“What did you tell him?” 

“I told him he could,” was Sarah’s repl3\ 

“I am glad you told him he could come, sister. 
Now, suppose we retire, as it is twelve o’clock, hut 
1 am not one bit sleepy. Good night, sister, dear. 
I hope you will dream a good dream about Joe 
tonight, and will make up with him tomorrow-” 

“Nina, I will never make up with Joe, for he 
is just as jealous-hearted as John, and you know 
1 just can’t tolerate John Lynn, for he makes 
Clary’s life almost miserable. No, I. will never 
make up with him. I just let Will go with ^ me 
to find Joe out. And, thank heaven, I have 
found him out before it was too late.” 

“Sarah, you don’t mean to say Joe is jealous, 
do you? Who wouldn’t get mad when they are 
treated like you treated Joe? I hope you are 
mistaken about his being jealous, for I just can’t 
believe that Joe Smith is a jealous man. If T 
did I would never try to help him out of his 
trouble again.” 

Nina then went to her room and closed the 
door and pondered in her heart whether she was 
doing right or not when she was trying to got 


NINA HILT. 


19 


Sarah to marry Joe; but she finally decided to 
let them decide tliis matter without her aid. Then 
she closed her eyes and went to sleep. 

Sarah and Nina arose early the next morning, 
but neither of them mentioned Joe’s name until 
Henry came in and announced Joe’s arrival. 

Sarah went slowly to the parlor, where she 
found Joe waiting very impatiently. He didn’t 
wait for her to take a seat before he said: 

‘‘Sarah, I demajul an explanation from you. 
IVhy did you let Will Evans go with you to 
church last evening when you knew 1 was corn- 
ing to go with you ?” 

“Wliy, I am sure 1 did not know you were com- 
ing: I had no engagement with you,” responded 
Sarah. 

“Well, Sarah, 1 am surprised at you. I con- 
sider I have a standing engagement with you, at 
any and all times. Now, promise me, Sarah, tliat 
you won’t accept Will’s company any more.” 

Sarah replied : “No, I will make no such prom- 
ise. Joe, you have a jealous heart. 1 just let 
^Vill go with me to find you out; and now that 
1 know your jealous disposition — for, God forbid 
that another one of the Hilt family should marry 
a jealous man — 1 am thoroughly satisfied from 
your conduct last evening that we shall never 
marry. Here is your ring; take it, I shall never 
wear it again.” 

Sarah looked into his face and said: 

“Joe, you had just as well take that ring, for 
1 mean just what 1 say. I will never wear it 
again” 

“Sarah, I surely must be dreaming, for I can- 
not realize that this is my own, dear Sarah speak- 


20 


NINA HILT. 


iiig Ihcs^e erne] words to me. Ilow can you treat 
me tlins wlien you know how much I love you, 
and 1 felt sure that you loved me in 
return? Oh, Sarah, how you have deceived me! 
How can I give you up? My life will be one i 
dark and dreary day without you. When I was I 
with you all was sunshine. This is more than I 
can bear. Won’t you take back those cruel words, 
and make me happy once more? Let me put 
this ring, the emblem of endless love, upon your 
linger; then all will be well with us again.” 

“Joe, you may think me cruel and heartless, 
but I do not love )^ou now. I loved you when I 
promised to be your wife, but since last evening’s 
lesson my love for you is no more.” 

“Listen, Sarah. You say you do this because 
1 am jealous-hearted, and 1 confess I am joalous> 
for where love is there also is jealousy.” 

“I don’t believe anything like that, for I never 
did believe John Lynn loved Mary, and he is the 
most jealous creature on earth,” replied Sarah. 
“Xo, Joe, if jealousy and love go hand in hand, 

1 wu'll never marry. I expect to remain Sarah 
Hilt until I find a lover who is not jealous. Now, 
Joe, ] will bid you a long farewell.” 

Sarah arose and hastily left the room. 

Joe hardly knew what to do. He sat down and 
looked into the fire a few moments. Then he 
arose, picked up the deserted ring, wLich he al- 
most hated, since Sarah would never wear it 
again. He looked at it a moment, and dropped it 
in his pocket ; then he walked hurriedly away from 
Hilt House. 

Nina heard Sarah’s retreating footsteps as she 
loft the parlor, and she went to Sarah’s room. 


NINA HILT. 21 

There she found Sarah as pale as death- Nina 
said : 

^‘Oh, Sarah, what is the matter with you? You 
lool^: so pale ! Are you sick ? I will get you the 
camphor bottle. Now, rub some on your face. Sit 
down and be quiet, and you will soon be better.” 

am not sick, Nina, I am just a little nerv- 
ous, and I hope I will never see Joe Smith again.” 

‘‘Why, Sarah, did you break your engagement 
with him?” 

Sarah replied: “I certainly did; and, further- 
more, I don’t want to hear any of your pitiful 
pleadings for him.” 

“No, I will not, for I decided that evening 
wlien you told me that Joe was as jealous as John 
T.ynn that 1 would never try to help him again. 
Well, Sarah, as you are not going to marry this 
autumn, you will teach school again, will you 
not ?” 

“That is my intention, Nina, and I think I 
will ride to the village this afternoon and put in 
my application.” 

Sarah went to the village that afternoon and 
got the promise of the school, and had to begin 
teaching in one week from that time. On her way 
home she met Will Evans. 

Will bowed and said, “Where have you been, 
Sarah ?” 

Sarah answered: “I have been to procure the 
village school.” 

“You don’t mean that you are going to teach 
this fall, do you, Sarah ?” 

“Yes, I will begin teaching Monday.” 

“I am surely surprised. I thought you and Joe 
Smith were to be married in October,” said Will. 


NINA HILT. 


‘‘I suppose everybody thought that, but that is a 
thing of the past. Joe and 1 are — well, I started 
to say friends, but 1 don’t know that he is even 
niy friend now'.” 

'will said: ‘‘I am sorry for Joe, but I am glad 
to hear that you are not going to marry him, for 
I am in love With you myself, and have been ever 
since I first met you. I thought it was a settled 
fact that you and Joe w^ere going to marry; that’s 
why I never told you before.” 

Sarah made no reply to this, but quickly chang- 
ed the subject by saying: 

‘‘My school w'ill begin next Monday, and I will 
be very busy until then and if you w'ill excuse me, 
Will, I will hurry on.” 

Will answ^ered, “Sarah, w'ould you object to my 
riding home w'ith you?” 

“1 have no objections, but I am rather blue 
today and am not very entertaining,” responded 
Sarah- 

Will and Sarah rode slowdy homo together. 

When Nina saw^ them coming she said to her 
father: “There comes Sarah, and Will Evans is 
with her. I hope he won’t come in, for I feel bad 
enough today w'ithout looking at him. Somehow, 
father, I feel as though a corpse had just been 
carried from our house. I guess it is because 
Sarah and Joe have broken their engagement. 
Xow, I suppose Will thinks he wdll take Joe’s 
place. Oh ! I just can’t hardly stand the idea of 
Sarah marrying Will Evans. What do you think 
about it, father?” 

“Well, Nina, I like Will the best of the two. I 
never could understand Joe; somehow he is a very 
peculiar man.” 


NINA HILT. 


23 


father, Joe always looks so nice.” 

‘‘Well, daughter, you can’t always judge a man 
by his outside appearance; while Will doesn’t look 
as nice as Joe, 1 suspect he has the best and pur- 
est heart and would make Sarah the kindest hus- 
band.” 

“He may, father; but for all that, I can’t see 
how Sarah can love him. 1 know I couldn’t.” 

“But you must remember, Nina, you are not 
old enough to love yet.” 

“I know that, father; but when I am old enough 
the man 1 love will have to be an up-to-date, nice- 
looking gentleman. No, father, Will is not com- 
ing in ; he has gone back the way he came.” 

Sarah came in, and went to her father’s room 
to tell him that she had gotten permission to 
teach the village school again. She was much 
happier now than she was when she left home. 
Nina hardly waited until Sarah told about the 
school before she said : 

“Well, I suppose Will Evans is happy now; I 
guess he thinks he has poor Joe’s place, and I 
believe you are just as anxious as he is, Sarah.” 

“Nina, please don’t begin talking about Joe, 
for I don’t want to hear his name mentioned- He 
is nothing to me now, and my mind is running in 
quite a different channel. I have a great deal of 
sewing and lots of other things to do this week, and 
I wan’t you to help me.” 

Nina replied: “All right, I will help you, 
Sarah.” Then she turned her head and looked to- 
wards the front lawn gate and said: “Look at 
the gate, Sarah.” Sarah’s heart nearly sank with- 
in her, for there came Joe walking briskly down 
the lawn towards the house. 


24 


NINA HILT. 


“Oh, what shall 1 do?’' said Sarah. will not j 
see him. Nina, you meet him and tell hiin I 
would very much prefer that he would nev'er visit 
Hilt House again.” She then went into her room 
and locked the door. 

Nina met Joe at the door and said, “Good even- 
ing, Joe. Will you come in ?” 

Joe replied: “Thank you, Nina. Js Sarali 
here ?” 

“Yes, Joe, she is here; but she told me to tell 
you she would not see you,” said Nina. 

“I am sorry, Nina, for I just came in to bid 
her good bye, as 1 am going far away, and possibly 
! may never see her face again. I would just like 
to see her for a few moments, if she will permit 
me.” 

“I will go and tell her, and perhaps she may 
see you,” answered Nina. 

Nina told Sarah what Joe said, but Sarah re- 
plied: “Tell him, again, 1 don’t care to see him.” 

Joe listened to this reply calmly. He bade . Nina 
good bye and said: “Nina, yon are a dear, good 
girl, and you have been a true friend to me.” Then 
he left her. 

Nina could not keep the tears from her eyes 
as she watched Joe pass through the lawn gate 
for the last time- She wiped the tears from her 
eyes and went into Sarah’s room, but didn’t call 
Joe’s name again. 

The next week was spent very quietly at Hilt 
Home and Sarah and Nina were both very busy. 

The next Sunday afternoon Sarah and Nina 
were walking in the front lawn, when they hearj 
footsteps behind them. They turned, and who 
should it be but Will Evans. Will came up, and 


NINA HILT. 


25 


.<nid to Sarah: 

‘*[ thought possibly you were lonesome, since 
,Ioe is gone, and 1 came around to spend a few 
hours with you this afternoon.’^ 

“t am really glad you came. Will,” answered 
Sarah. 

That was enough for Nina. She said: “I guess 
it is time for me to take my departure.” 

Will said: ‘‘Don't leave ns, Nina, I would like 
to talk to you, too, although I know you like Joe 
much better.” 

Nina replied: “I have no love for either of 
you myself. J will acknowledge I did all 1 could 
in Joe’s favor, because I douT like to see anyone 
mistreated, like Sarah mistreated Joe. You know 
she did it, too.” 

“No, I can’t say that she did, Nina. It might 
have been me who mistreated him. I made an 
engagement with Sarah to go to church.” 

“\Vell, Sarah ought not to have accepted your 
company. Oh, well, 1 am going to hunt father,” 
and off she went. 

Will was glad to be alone with Sarah, and the 
afternoon passed away very rapidly to him. For 
he was very much in love with Sarah, and told her 
so more than once before he left that afternoon. 


CHAPTER III. 

SARAIlks WEDDIXG. 

^Monday morning Sarah went to begin her school. 
Nina was so lonesome she decided to go and visit 
a friend of hers, Clara Winfrey, in the city of 

H . She packed her trunk and left the next 

morning. So everything is now ver}' quiet at Hilt 
House. Sarah came home late in the afternoon. 


NINA HILT. 


2G 

very tired, and, of course, mother and father didn’t 
see much of her. ^ir. and ^Irs. Hilt were very 
lonesome and longed for Nina’s return liome. AVill 
is a frequent visitor at Hilt Home now. 

After a four week’s visit Nina returned home 
with a light heart and full of fun. It took her 
several days to tell where she went and all slu; 
did. She was very glad to get home; although she 
liked to visit, still she was always glad to get 
home, for she said home was the sweetest place 
of all. 

When Sarah returned home on the afternoon of 
Nina’s return, she told Nina that she and Will 
Evans were engaged, and that they expected to be 
married as soon as her school was out. Nina didn’t 
object, for she knew it would make no change in 
Sarali’s business. But she thought lots, and often 
wondered if AA'ill would make Sarah a good hus- 
band. The father’s words would pass through her 
mind, and she would say: “Well, father knows 
better than I do, and he thinks Will is all right 
and gives his consent for them to marry; I guess 
1 will, too. Will may be a good man, and he 
looks so much nicer since he has been going with 
Sarah. Well, I hope they will be happ 3 % and I 
shall not bother myself any more about them-” 

Nina went to the postoffice one day and got a 
letter with a strange postmark. She couldn’t 
imagine who it was from. She opened it and to 
her astonishment it was from Joe. He was then 
in Missouri, and said he would never forget Nina. 
He asked her to correspond with him, but she 
never answered his letter, as she does not believe 
in encouraging a gentleman unless she meant it. 

John and Mary sold their little farm and bought 


NINA HILT. 


27 


another, ten miles from Hilt Home. Xina missed 
^lary and Lyda very much, and she didn’t get to 
see them often. 

Months passed off rapidly and it is now the 
middle of January. Sarah’s school will he out 
in two weeks. Sarah and Will are to be married 
the tenth of Febrnar\', and Sarah and Xina are 
very busy getting ready for the wedding. Sarah 
worked after her school was out in the afternoon 
until late at night. Xina is to be Sarah’s brides- 
maid and James Kedd, a friend whom Xina met 
on her visit to Clara, is to be Will's best man. 

As the time drew near for the wedding Sarah 
couldn’t help but think of Joe, for she knew how 
dearly he loved her. She had never seen him in 
reality since he came to bid her farewell. But 
she often saw him and heard his pleading words 
in her dreams, and she would say to herself — for 
she never called his name to Xina since her en- 
gagement with Will — ^‘if Joe didn’t have tliat mis- 
erable fault of his, I could still love him. But. 
oh, pshaw ! it is only wasting time to think of him, 
for tomorrow is my wedding day, and, of course, I 
will be happy with Will; I know I could be very 
happy if I could never think of Joe again.” 

Xina came in and said: ‘^What’s the matter 
with you now, Sarah, you are looking blue? It 
seems to me like this ought to be one of the hap- 
piest days of your life. You know you are to 
marry the man you love best tomorrow. I am 
sure that 1 shall be all smiles the day before 1 
wed.” 

“Oh, Xina, you don’t know what you will do* 
You don’t even know what the first principle of 
love is.” 


28 


NINA HILT. 


“Well, 1 guests 1 don’t; but I luive ca mighty good 
idea, of what it is, and, possihl}', I may know some 
day. AVell, I won’t worry you any longer, Sarali.’’ 

^‘You are not worrying me, Nina. You can’t 
imagine how mucli I hate to leave you so lonely.” 

“Don’t worry about me, Sarah ; I will make it 
all right. Don’t you think about anything hut 
yours and Will’s happiness now, and you will be 
looking beautiful tomorrow. Xow, 1 bid you good 
night.” 

Nina closed the door and Sarah retired. 

Sarah’s wedding day was a beautiful day, but 
rather cold. Everybody at Hilt Home was pre~ 
])aring for the wedding. 

Soon the hour arrived and Will and James 
Eedd were promptly on time. Sarah was looking 
unusually pretty today. Nina was the jolliest of 
the wedding party. 

James laughingly said to Nina: “Suppose we 
make this a double wedding?” 

Nina replied: “Oh, let’s don’t; you know that 
is bad luck.” 

The parlor was crowded with friends and rela- 
tives, and as the clock struck twelve the solemn 
vows were made and Will and Sarah w’ere hus- 
band and wife. 

They left immediately for Will’s home, just a 
nice drive through the country. 

Nina and James accompanied them. Nina spent 
a few days wdth Sarah in Sarah’s new home. But 
now she thinks of mother at home with so much 
to do* She wished Sarah and Will a hapyy life 
and left them. 


NINA HILT. 


29 


CHAPTER IV. 

GUY BOYD. 

When Xina arrived home all were very glad 
to see here, and asked a number of questions about 
the newly married couple and their new home. 

Xina was somewhat excited on Sarah’s wedding 
and she didn’t see half of the people who were 
lu’esent. So ^Irs. Hilt named the wedding guests 
over to her. Among them was a stranger to Xina, 
Cuy Boyd. Xina stopped her mother and said: 
‘‘Did you say Guy Boyd, mother? Who is he?” 

“Yes, Xina ; didn’t you hear your father speak 
of the young man who has recently moved on the 
farm joining us ?” 

Xina said : “Has he bought the farm, mother?” 

“Xo, I suppose not, for he is very young; he is 
the doctor’s son, who has recently moved to the 
village,” replied Mrs. Hilt. 

Xina said: “I wmnder how old he is, and is he 
handsome, mother ?” 

“Why, Xina, what’s the matter with you? Why 
do you want to know so much about this Guv 
Boyd ?” 

“It is just curiosity, mother; nothing else. Y^ou 
know all girls have curiosity, and especially when 
a strange young man moves into their neighbor- 
hood. Wasn’t you curious when you were young, 
mother ?” 

“T suppose I was,” replied Mrs. Hilt. 

“Well, then, mother, you ought not to mind tell- 
ing me all you know about Guy Boyd.” 

“T don’t mind telling you all I know, but I do 
not know much. Pie is a low, heavy man, has blue 
eyes and light hair ; in fact, if he conducts him- 
self as well as he looks, he is all right.” 


80 


NINA HILT. 


Nina laughed and said: ‘"Well, I guess I will 
set my cap for him.” 

Mrs- Hilt said: “You had just as well not, for 
lie is a poor lioy, and I don’t believe your father 
will ever give his consent for you to marry a poor 
man.” 

‘WYhy so, mother? I value love much higher 
than gold.” 

“Now, Nina, you are talking nonsense. Y^ou 
do not know anything about love.” 

“Mother, what makes you think that father 
wants me to marry a man with money?” 

“Because I have heard him say that your healtli 
was not good, and he could never bear the idea of 
your having to work hard.” 

“\Vell, I wish father w^ould get this idea out of 
his head, for I am quite sure I am no invalid, and | 
1 don’t mind working at all.” 

“Your father know’s what is best for you, Nina, , 
and you had better listen to him.” | 

“Listen to him, mother! Do you mean obey Ji 
him?” 

“That is just what I mean, Nina.” 

“Mother, 1 always have obeyed father, and al- 
ways wdll. I don’t know that I will ever marry, 
but if I should, I do hope father will allow me the 
privilege of marrying the one I love.” 

“You w'ill marry the man you love — father or 
no father — I guess. That’s the way a great many 
girls do.” 

“You are mistaken about me. I will never dis- 
honor my father that way ; Never. I have seen the 
fruits of it. Just think of poor Mary. What a 
miserable life she is living, and John is getting 
more cruel to her ever}* day she lives. Poor child ! 


NINA HILT. 


31 


I do hope she will have a bright crown to wear 
in heaven, for she has lived in torment in this 
world.” Nina didn’t remain to hear her mother’s 
reply, for tears now dimmed her eyes. She went 
to her room and began to rearrange the furniture, 
brush and dust the room* She tried to forget this 
last conversation, but she could not. It would run 
through her mind, time and time again, ‘father 
wants me to marry for money. It would be real 
nice if I could love a rich man, but love comes 
first with me.” 

That day at Sarah’s wedding was the first time 
(luy Boyd had even seen Nina. When the w'ed- 
ding party came in he looked at Nina instead of 
the bride and thought to himself: ‘‘Well, I am 
going to see that girl, if she will permit me. I like 
her looks fine. I am determined to meet her at my^ 
very earliest convenience.” Thus he thinks. 

The next Sunday after Nina’s return from 
Sarah’s, Guy thought he w^ould walk by Hilt 
Home, and possibly he might see Nina. Guy’s 
home was just one-half a mile from Hilt House. 
So, early in the afternoon, he started on his walk. 
Just before he got in sight of the house, he saw 
some one walking in front of him; the thought 
struck Guy that it was Mr. Hilt, and he hastened 
his steps. As he drew near he said: “What a 
lucky boy I am; sure enough, that is Mr. Hilt. 
I’ll just overtake him, and may be he will ask 
me in wlien we get to his lawn gate, and if he does 
I will surely go. And, then, suppose Nina is not 
at home; my visit won’t amount to a red cent. 
Well, I’ll risk it, and if she isn’t there, perhaps 
I will make a good impression on the old folks.” 

Mr- Hilt heard steps behind him and turned 


NINA HILT. 


(I round to see wlio it was. Guy said; Good even- 
ing, ]\ir. Hilt, i believe you and 1 have the same 
jiotion tliis tine afternoon. We are both out for a 
walk.*’ 

Mr. Hilt said: ‘^Yes, and this shady lane is a 
tine place to walk, and especially^ in the spring 
when the trees have put forth their foliage.” 

By this time they were at the Hilt lawn gate. 
Mr. Hilt said: ‘‘Won’t you come in and chat 
with me a while? You are a new neighbor, and 
1 always like to have my neighbors visit me.” 

Guy saw Xina sitting on the veranda, and he 
replied: “J thank you, Mr. Hilt; 1 am sure I 
like to be neighborly,” and they both went in. 

When they got to the veranda, Xina arose and 


Mr. Hilt said: 

“^Ir. Boyd, this is my baby girl, X"ina.” Then | 
they all took seats on the veranda. 

After 'Mv. Hilt had talked a while, he said he 1 
would go and find Mrs. Hilt. | 

When ^Ir- Hilt went to his wife’s room slie i 
was not feeling well, so he went back and asked ^ 
Guy to excuse him, as his wife was sick. He | 
also said he was very sorry and hoped Guy would j 
come to see him again. He thought Guy would ;; 
leave at once, but Guy said : “Yiou are very ex- ^ 
disable, Mr. Hilt; I will remain and talk with i 
]\r iss Hilt a short while, if she has no objections.” 1 
Nina replied: “I will be very glad to have you 
stay, for this has been a long, lonesome day to 
me.” 

Tlien Guy said : “1 get awfully lonesome on 

Sundays, and I guess we will liave to spend them 
together — 1 mean, the afternoons.” ^ 

X^’ina said: “1 think that would be real nice.”* 

4 


NINA HILT. 


33 


If ]\Ir. Hilt had known the purpose of Guy's 
walk that Sunday afternoon, he would not have 
asked him in. 

[.ate that evening Mr. Hilt told his wife that 
he suspected he had made tlie mistake of his life 
when he had asked Guy Boyd to come in, for Nina 
miglit be silly enough to fall in love with him, and 
th(‘n we would tldidc our troubles had just begun. 

Mrs. Hilt told lier husband to let Nina and Guy 
alone, for they were just having a little social 
chat, and young folks will be young folks. 

Nina and Guy both certainly enjoyed the after- 
noon very much, and were sorry when Guy had to 
say good b3’e. Guy said he would be back next 
Sunday afternoon. 

Nina thought to herself, after Guy was gone, 
that she would give anything if she had some 
one to whom she cou^d talk to, and tell how weli 
she liked Guy. She knew it would never do to 
mention his name to father, and she was afraid 
to risk mother, for fear she would tell father. 

^frs. Hilt noticed all the next week that Nina 
seemed to be in a deep study, and she wondered 
vrhat w^as the matter with her. Nina was think- 
ing of the last Sunday afternoon and she looked 
forward with joyous anticipation to her next meet- 
ing with Guy- 

Sarah and Will came home Saturday to stay 
until Monday. 

Nina was very glad of this, for she knew Sarah 
would listen to all she had to tell her. 

When Sarah and Will came Nina met them at 
the front gate. 

Sarah said: ‘^Well, Nina, 3'0ii surely must be 
glad to see us.” 


34 


NINA IdlLT. 


I am, for I have so much to tell^ you. 
Sarah, it seems to me that 1 will die if I don't tell 
.'ome one my troubles.” 

‘‘Your troubles, Yina; I didn’t think you knew 
wliat trouble was.” 

**r didn’t, until that day I came from your 
homo.” 

“Pray tell me Avhat can it be, Nina?” 

“'^lother said father would never agree for me 
to marry anyone unless they are rich.” 

“1 wonder wdiat made father take such a no- 
tion as that. Will isn’t rich, and he never ob- 
jected to my marrying him. Oli, I reckon father 
must love you better than he does me.” 

“No, he doesn’t, Sarah; everybody know’s you 
are father’s pet, and, of course, he loves you best.” 

“Well, that don’t look like love to me.” 

“Oil, Sarah, I have the nicest friend; he came 
last Sunday and spent several hours wdth me,” 
said Nina. 

“Who on earth is it, Nina?” 

“TIis name is Guy Boyd, and he is just as cute 
as he can be. He lives next door to us and he is 
our new' physician’s son.” 

Sarah said: “Hurrah for you, Nina; I would 
like very much to see him.” 

“Well, you shall see him, for he will call tomor- 
row at three o’clock, and you may help me enter- 
tain him.” 

“I w'ill be glad to meet him, Nina; but yon 
know I have Will to entertain- Will is perfectly ! 
lovely to me, Nina, if he isn’t rich.” 

“Oh, pshaw, Sarah; riches do not make happi- i 
ness, and I expect some rich people are miserable. J 
1 f 1 w'as rich, I w'ouldn’t be rich long. I w'ould ' 


i 

I 


NINA HILT. 


i<ooH "ivc it all away to the poor people who are 
suh'eriiig- for something to eat and wear. Then 
] would have something to be happy for.” 

•^•Nina, if you had given it all away, you would 
then be poor yourself.” 

Nina replied: ‘^Yes, so far as this world’s goods 
are concerned, I would be; but I woidd have treas- 
ures in heaven, and that is the kind of riches I 
want. Let me tell you, Sarah, I am afraid father 
will not permit Guy to come to see me long, for 
he is a poor bo 3 'j but he is well educated and very 
entertaining. Somehow, Sarah, 1 would rather 
ralk to him than an^^body I ever talked to.” 

^‘Did father object to him coming last Sunday, 
Nina?” 

“No; he came with father. But Guy told me 
how he worked father, to get to come to see me, 
and, you see, father does not know it, and don’t 
you say a word to him about Guy until you see 
him tomorrow* afternoon.” 

According to promise, Guy came at three o’clock. 
Nina hastened to invite him into the parlor before 
her father came to the door, and no one but Sarali 
knew^ he was coming. 

Sarah w*ent in and sat a short wdiile with them, 
''riien she excused herself, and w*ent out and told 
Will she liked Nina’s new^ beau fine, and she 
didn’t see why father should object to him, for he 
appeared to be a perfect gentleman. 

To Nina and Guy the afternoon almost flewL 
And they parted feeling they w’ere much better 
friends than w*hen he came. 

Guy’s visits were continued every Sunday after- 
noon for many weeks. 


NINA HILT. 


ac 


CHAPTER V. 

A DARK DAY- 

Nina and Guy are very dear friends now. And 
Nina was so happy before. But a dark day is ap- 
j)roaching. 

Gny has one fanlt Nina never dreamed of, tlnit 
is, of taking his toddy. One day he w’as with 
some of his supposed to be friends, and they asked 
Inin to drink with them. Jack Green — a boy who 
had tried so hard to make love to Nina — was one 
among tlie party, and he went to Hilt Home tlie 
next day and told Mr. Hilt that he saw Guy Boyd 
drunk, and Mr. Hilt told Nina that he must not 
tome to see her any more. This almost brol:e 
Nina’s heart. 

Jack Green was a noted liar in the village, and 
Nina believed that Jack did it just to beat Guy's 
time. 

A paid of his scheme worked all right, but not 
fill, for Nina never had had any love for Jack, and 
now she hated him. 

MTeks and months passed before Nina and Guy 
met again. 

When Christmas came, Guy sent Nina a hand- 
some present to let her know he had not forgot- 
ten her. 

They tried every way imaginable to try to spend 
a few hours together, but Mr. Hilt did not permit 
his daughter to go anywhere*, if he had any idea 
Gny would be there. 

Nina had a dear friend, Dora Reeves, who lived 
near by. Nina went over to siR?nd the day with 
her. Nina met Guy as she was on her way. Guy 
made an engagement with her to call that after- 
noon. When Guy came Nina said: ‘‘This seems 


NINA HILT. 


37 


like old times-” 

Guy said : “These have been the most miserabr 
months J ever spent. I jnst felt like I could not 
live without you. Now, promise me, Nina, that 
you will be my wife.” 

Nina said: “With father’s consent, I promise.” 

Guy replied : “I think we will get that all right. 
Nina, I am. going to see you at your home once 
more; and if your father does not want me to 
come he can tell me so. But I shall not make my 
visits so frequent as 1 did before.” 

“All riglit, Guy. I don’t think father will ob- 
ject to you visiting me now, as he has found out 
that you are not a drunkard, as Jack Green tried 
to make him believe you were. And I don’t believe 
father ever thought that you were a drunkard, for 
lie knows Jack Green can’t tell the truth to save 
his life. But father was just looking for an ex- 
cuse to stop you from coming to see me, and he 
thought this tale of Jack Green’s was a good one, 
for, of course, no man wants his daughter to marry 
a drunkard.” 

“Nina, I think that stor^^ of Jack Green’s is not 
worth noticing, for we all know what he did it 
for. He knew I wasn’t drunk. I acknowledge I 
took a drink with the boys, and Jack was the first 
one who asked me to take one with them.” 

“Eeally ! Was he, Guy ? Well, he is the most 
undermining species of human flesh I ever saw. 
You ought to have known, Guy, that he wasn’t 
after any good.” 

“Oh, I didn’t stop to think, Nina. You know 
how boys are when they are out for a good time.” 

“Guy, now promise me, for my sake, never to 
be caught with that insignificant Jack Green 


NINA HILT. 


ob 


again.- ^ 

“Xo, I never will again, since I have found him 
out. He was a mere stranger to me then. You 
know I hadn’t been in this neighborhood long 
when that occurred.” 

“I know you hadn’t, and so you are excusable 
for associating with him. I guess he rushed right 
in to see you as soon as you moved here, for he 
always pushes himself on some one who doesn’t 
know him.” 

Guy said: “I have found out he was of the 
pushing kind, but he will never push himself into 
my company again. You may rely on me.” 

‘H believe you, Guy.” 

“Xina, you said something awhile ago that I 
can’t understand.” 

‘^'What was it, Guy?” 

^‘You said your father was hunting for an ex- 
cuse to stop me from visiting you. Will you please 
explain this to me?” 

almost breaks iny heart to tell you, Guy, hut 
you will have to know it sooner or later. And 1 
had just as well tell you now. Father wants me 
to marry a rich man, and he says he will never 
give his consent for me to marry any one unless he 
lias money.” 

‘^^Well, X^ina, that cuts me out, for I am as poor 
as a church mouse.” 

“I know you haven’t much money, but you are 
very young, and have good health, and I don’t see 
any reason why you shouldn’t make an independent 
living for you and I. Of course you can accumu- 
late enough to set up to housekeeping by the time 
we are ready to marry.” 

H know I can, too, Xlna. And now if we can 


NINA HILT. 


39 


only get your father to think this way. What are 
^fr. Hilt’s reasons for not wanting you to marry 
a poor man ?” 

“Father says he doesn’t want me to have any 
uork to do, as I am not very strong* But I don’t 
mind work, and it would be a pleasure for me to 
lielp tlie man I love.” 

“Well, Nina, let’s cheer up and try to get your 
father to change his notion. 1 think we can.” 

“1 will try to hope so,” responded Nina. ^‘You 
don’t know father like I do. When he gets his 
mind made up it is awfully hard to change him.” 

“Nina, I can’t imagine who your father wants 
you to marry. None of your gentlemen friends 
are very rich, are they?” 

“No, Guy; but father has a friend whose par- 
ents have recently died, and they w^ere very 
wealthy, and he is their only heir. Father told me 
he would be a fine catch for me.” 

Guy looked very serious about this, and asked 
what was his name and where he lived. 

Nina replied: “His name is Tom Ware, and 
he lives on a fine farm near the city of H .” 

“Nina, do you think you could love him?” 

“Love him! I know I shall never love him.” 

“Oh, Nina, I am afraid 3 "ou will, for it would 
be very easy to love him wdth all that gold.” 

“Guy, don’t you know that love and money are 
two very different things. I.ove is the gift from 
God and will last forever, while money is earthly 
and wdll be destroyed by moth and rust.” 

“Y"ou talk like you mean what you say, Nina, but 
you may change your mind when you see Tom 
Ware in all his splendor.” 

“Indeed, I won’t,” answered Nina. 


40 


NINA HILT. 


Tlien Guy said: ‘‘I will call to see you tomorrow 
afternoon and we will go for a drive again.” 

^‘All right, Guy ; I will feel like my old scdf 
again if father welcomes you.” 

So, with burdened hearts, Guy and Xina parted- 


CHAPTER VI. 

GUY VISITS HILT HOME AGAIN. 

Guy is very much discouraged, since he heard 
J\Ir. Hilt’s notion about Tom Ware. But he will 
not give up the fight yet. But thinks possibly he 
might win, as the promise is to the faithful. 

Nina’s feelings could not be expressed when she 
would think of what she ivould do, and how miser- 
a])le she would feel if her father would not let her 
see Guy when he came. But she felt somewhat 
relieved when her mother told her that her father 
bad been invited to dine with a friend that day, 
and she supposed he would not come home very 
early. 

After Guy came, he and Xina went for a walk 
in the lawn and garden. They were gathering and 
eating fruits and berries, and talking of the past 
and future. 

But Xina’s mind would wander back to her 
father, and thinking he might return home at any 
moment. She glanced her eyes toward the house, 
and, sure enough, there sat Mr. Hilt on the ver- 
anda. 

She then said: ‘‘Guy, let’s go into the parlor. 
We will pass in right by father, and if he has any- 
thing to say we will listen to him.” 

When they stepped in the door, Guy said: 
“Good evening, :Mr. Hilt. We have been gather- 
ing some of your nice fruits. Won’t you have 


NINA HILT. 


41 


some?’’ 

^Fr. Hilt’s expression changed and he said: 

‘“No, thank you; 1 dined out today and am not 
hungry.” 

Guy said: “I think these are the nicest ber- 
ries 1 ever saw; and, in fact, Mr- Hilt, you have 
a nice selection and quite a variety of fruits. What 
nursery do you patronize?” 

Guy struck the right key note, for Mr. Hilt 
liked very much to hear his fruits complimented. 
Ide told Guy very politely where they came from. 

Then Guy and Nina walked into the parlor feel- 
ing very much relieved. 

Nina thouglit her father would reprove her for 
permitting Guy to come to Hilt Home that after- 
noon, but he did not. 

The next time she saw Guy she told him that 
she was feeling very much encouraged. And she 
now looked forward to a briglit future for them. 

Nina saw Guy quite often now. She passed by 
tile little bachelor house frequently, going to the 
village for the mail. And he called at Hilt House 
occasionally. In fact, they are both very happy 
now. 

Doctor and Mrs. Boyd were great admirers of 
Nina’s, and she was equally as much in love with 
them. Mrs. Boyd had Nina visit them quite often 
at the village. 

One da}’ wdien Nina had just returned home 
from a visit to them. Dr. Boyd said to his wife: 
^‘1 would be glad if Guy and Nina would marry, 
for Guy needs some one to keep house for him. 1 
don’t like this way of boys keeping bach anyway, 
and T believe Nina w’ould make just the kind of 
wife Guy needs, for I think she is a fine girl.” 


4l> 


NINA HILT. 


‘‘1 think so, too, Doctor, and I shall do all I can 
to encourage them-’’ 

One da}’, soon after this. Dr. Boyd called to see 
Ml’S. Hilt, who was sick, and, as he was leaving, 
lie met Nina in the front hall. And after talking 
a short while to her, he said, ‘‘Xina, when did you 
SCK 3 Gny last?” 

Nina blushed, and told him when she saw Guy. 

He then said: ‘‘That’s all right, between you 
and Guy. dust go ahead, for you certainly have 
my consent.” 

Nina liowed, and replied, “Thank you. Doctor.” 
Then she thought to herself : “Why can’t my fath- 
er talk like that ? 0, how happy 1 would be if he 
only would. Perhaps he will some day.” 


CHAPTflB YII. 

TOM WAKE. 

31r. Hilt went to the city of H one day, 

and on his return home he met Tom Ware. 

Tom told him that he was coming to Hilt House 
one day that week to see his daughter. He said he 
had seen her once, and liked her looks very much 
and was anxious to meet her. 

This pleased Mr. Hilt very much, and he came 
liome with good news for his wife, but very sad 
news for Xina, for she feared this would change 
her father’s conduct toward Guy, as Mr. Hilt had 
been real nice to Guy for some time. Xina wished 
from her heart that Tom would never come. But 
if he came she decided to treat him with courtesy, 
for her father’s sake- 

Soon the day arrived for Xina to meet Tom 
\Yare. 


NIXx\ HILT. 


43 


She heard footsteps on the front veranda, and 
she turned to look. I'liere stood a tall man with 
dark complexion. 

The thought came to her instantly that this man 
was her father’s friend, Mr. Ware. She hurried 
to her mother’s room and told her mother there 
was a stranger at the door. 

When Mrs. Hilt went to invite him in, Xina 
caught these words, as he said, ‘T presume this is 
^Irs. Hilt? Ware is my name. I have known 
your husband quite a w’hile and we are good 
friends. And 1 presume he told you and your 
daughter that he saw me on his return from the 
city.” 

“Oh, yes, Mr. Ware. He thinks of you fre- 
quently. I know he will be glad to see you; walk 
in.” 

After Tom was seated in the parlor, he said: 
‘T suppose Mr. Hilt delivered my message to Miss 
Hilt, did he not, and is she at home today?” 

“Yes, he told her, and she is here. Excuse me, 
and I will tell her that Amu have arrived.” 

Mrs. Hilt told Nina to arrange her toilet and 
come into the parlor just as quick as she could, 
for Mr- Ware was waiting for her. 

Xina replied : “All right, mother,” but she 
took her time. She dreaded all the while to meet 
him. Her mind was thoroughly made up so far as 
giving him any encouragement whatcAmr was con- 
cerned. But she decided to go in and see what he 
looked like. 

When Xina looked into the parlor, she thought 
he looked like a Catholic priest, as he arose with 
his long, flowing coat and adA'anced toward her 
Avith his hand extended. 


44 


NINA HILT. 


Mrs. Hilt said: ^‘Xina, this is your father’s 
I'rieud, ^Ir. Ware.” 

Nina. ])ow(Hi and said : ‘‘Howdy do, Mr. M are i 
and took her seat. 

llrs. Hilt thought of some very important busi- 
ness she had to attend to, and left the room imme- 
diately. 

Nina couldn’t describe her feelings at this time. 
She didn’t know Avhat to do or say. But Tom 
rattled away. 

Nina responded “yes” and “no.” 

The thought struck Nina: “What would Guy 
say if he could see this picture?” 

'“:Miss Hilt, did your father deliver my message 
to you ?” 

‘‘What did you tell father to tell me?” 

“That I was coming to see you this week.” 

“Xo; father said you were coming to Hilt 
Home, but he didn’t say you were coming to see 
me.” 

He replied: “Well, that’s exactly what I came 
for.” 

Xina made no reply to this, but, thinking she 
would change the subject, she said: “Is this your 
first visitin this neighborhood, ^Ir. Ware?” 

Tom replied : “Oh, no; I have a farm near hei’e, 
and I come down to look after it tolerably often, 
r have passed by here several times. The first 
time 1 ever saw you, you were standing in your 
front lawn and I fell in love with you at first 
sight.” 

Oh, how Xina wished her father would come 
in and relieve her of this bore, for she was get- 
ting miserably tired of him. She listened for him_, 
and when she heard her father’s voice she arose 


NINA HILT. 


45 


qiiickl3^ and said: 

“Father has come and I know he will be glad to 
see yon. 1 will go and send him in.” 

Out she went for Mr. Hilt. When she found 
him, she said, “Go in the parlor, father; your 
friend, Mr. Ware, has come to see you.” 

^Ir. Hilt went in where Tom was and Nina 
went to the dining room to assist her mother. Mrs. 
Hilt asked: “\Vhy did you leave the parlor, 
Nina ?” 

“Oh, I am tired, mother. Father can entertain 
lliat man. It gives me the ‘Jimmies’ to hear him 
talk. He must be veiy peculiar; at least, he ap- 
peared that way to me.” 

When dinner was announced, Mr. Hilt invited 
his friend to the dining room. Nina was miss- 
ing; that was something very unusual for her- ^klr. 
Hilt said: 

“Where is Nina, Mrs. Hilt?” 

Mrs. Hilt replied that she did not know, but 
supposed she would be in soon, and said it wouldn’t 
be necessary to wait for her. 

Mr. Hilt and Tom were again seated in the 
parlor before Nina appeared in the dining room. 
After eating a light dinner, she went into the 
parlor a short while. 

Nina hadn’t been in there long before one of her 
young lady friends came by to get Nina to drive 
to the village with her. She wanted to excuse 
herself and go with her friend, but Mrs. Hilt in- 
terfered, by saying: 

“Nina has compan}", and I will be glad to go 
with you to the village.” 

Nina arose and left the room, which was very 
annoying to Mr. and Mrs. Hilt. Nina knew this 


4G 


NINA HILT. 


was very rude of her, and was sorry on her fath- 
ers account that she had to act in this manner, 
but she could not tolerate Tom Ware; and she 
knew if she gave him any encouragement what- 
ever he would almost worry the life out of her. 
Furthermore deceit is one thing that she would not 
practice. 

When Mrs. Hilt and Nina’s friend went to the 
village, Nina left Mr. Hilt to entertain Tom for 
quite a while. Finally, her father got restless, as 
he had some very important business to attend to. 
He left Tom alone and went to find Nina. 

Nina appeared to be very busy when her father 
found her. But she found how very much wor- 
ried her father was as he said : 

^‘Nina, won’t you come to the parlor awhile; I 
have some business which must be attended to at 
once ?” 

Nina responded: ‘T am very busy, too, father.” 

“Well, Nina, your business is not very urgent, 
and mine is.” 

“All right, father; I will go.” 

When Nina went to the parlor, Tom knew some- 
thing had gone wrong with her, and he said : 

“Miss Hilt, you ought not to have stayed at home 
on my account.” 

“Oh, no, Mr. Ware; I didn’t stay on your ac- 
count at all. I stayed because mother w'anted to 
go.” 

I'om said : “If you wish to go to the village, I 
will drive you over.” 

“No, I thank you, Mr. Ware. I don’t care to go 
to the village today. 

Nina thought her mother never would return, 
and she got very impatient. 


NINA HILT. 


47 


But, to her relief, Tom arose and said he must 
" 0 , but told Xina he would be back in the near 
future. 

Xine breathed a sigh of relief when he was 
gone, and now she is anxious to see Guy and tell 
him about Tom’s visit. 

The next time Guy came, he said: ^‘^Well, Xina, 
how did you like Mr. Ware ?” 

Xina said: ^‘0, I don’t like him at all, he is 
simply disgusting.” 

^^Well, wlren did he say he was coming back?” 

“Oh, I don’t know when he is coming back. 1 
hope he never will.” 

“Didn’t he make a date with you, Xina?” 

“Xo; he just said he was coming back, but 
didn’t say when- And I don’t know what made 
him say he was combing back, for I didn’t give him 
the least bit of encouragement.” 

“You didn’t, Xina? Well, he surely must be a 
curious kind of a man.” 

“Oh, he hasn’t a bit of discretion. I didn’t stay 
in the room where he was half of the time he was 
here; and then, to think, when he left he said he 
was coming back again. I guess he thinks his 
money will marry him off. But I pity the girl who 
could fancy Tom Ware. I know I couldn’t love 
liim if he had the wealth of Jay Gould.” 

Xina talked and thought so much about him 
through the day, that she dreamed one night she 
and Tom were married. She was the most miser- 
able girl on earth. But when she awoke the next 
miorning and found that it was only a dream, she 
felt like thanking God it was not reality. 

Tom came back again the next week. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hilt were very much pleased, for 


48 


NINA HILT. 


they thought, of course, Xina had given him some 
hope of winning her love, by his coming back so 
soon. 

When Xina was in Tom’s presence she enter- 
tained him by telling him what Guy said and did, 
and, of course, this was very unpleasant for Tom. 

Xina could tell that Tom did not like to hear 
this, and it was her chief delight to tease him in 
this manner. 

One day when she had finished telling him a 
great narrative of this kind, Tom said: “Xina, 
you talk about Guy Boyd a great deal. He cer- 
tainly must be a wonderful creature.” 

“He certainly is, to me,” replied Xina. 

“Does he talk very much, Xina?” 

“Why, yes ; he talks quite a good deal- Why do 
you ask such a question as that?” 

“Well, I was Just going to say that I never saw 
anyone who talked much that didn’t tell false- 
hoods.” 

“You are very much mistaken, Mr. Ware, in 
tliis case. I am sure I never caught Guy in a story 
in my life, for he is a perfect gentleman; indeed, 
he is.” 

Tom said: “I would like very mueh to see him, 
Xina; why not have him here some day when I am 
lierc.” 

“When are you coming? I never know when 
you are coming, until you are at the door; and, 
besides, Guy would never come here if he thought 
there was any possibility of your being here.” 

“Why not? Is he afraid of me ? He surely 
must be a coward.” 

“Xot he; he is not afraid of you; neither is he 
a coward. But, in the first place, Guy knows it 


NINA HILT. 


41 ^ 

isn't proper, or etiquette, for a young lady to en- 
tertain two gentlemen at tlie same time. In the 
second place, I have heard him say that he had no 
desire whatever to meet you.” 

Tom grew weary of this conversation, and soon 
took his departure. 


CHAPTER VIll. 

GUY LEAVES THE VILLAGE. 

Mr. HilPs manner towards Guy and Tom was 
quite different. 

Gu}" noticed how very formal he was toward 
him since Tom had been visiting Nina, and he 
said to Nina one day: 

“'Nina, 1 would never come to Hilt Home again 
were it not that I love you so dearly. For your 
father’s conduct to me recently is almost intoler- 
able.” 

“'Guy, I know father does not treat you right. 
Let’s look on the bright side, and hope that it will 
work out all right in the end.” 

Roth Guy and Tom continued their visits until 
Christmas; when Guy came one day and told Nina 
lie had decided to give up “baching,” and he was 
going to run his grandfather’s farm, as he had 
written for him to come- 

“'You know, Nina, it grieves me to leave you, 
but I feel that it is my duty to go, as you know 
my mother died when I was young, and this pres- 
ent Mrs. Boyd is my stepmother. Well, after my 
mother died, grandfather took me, and reared and 
educated me, and T feel I can never repay him for 
his trouble.” 

Nina said: “Oh, Guy, this is bad news to me, 
but I cannot ask you to stay, for, under the cir- 


50 


NIxVA HILT. 


(iiiTi stances, 1 tliiiik it is your duty to go. 

(Juy, something tells me somehow that this will 
separate us forever.” 

‘‘Nina, don’t talk that way. Why, it is not more 
than forty miles to grandfather’s, and I can come 
to see you tolerably often. 1 will also write to 
you.” 

“Yes, but 1 have so often heard of engagements 
Ijeing broken through correspondence, and that 
will be about the way ours will end.” 

“Oh, no, I hope not. Well, I will see you again 
soon, Nina.” 

He bade her good bye and returned to his home. 

When :Mr. Hilt learned that Guy was going to 
his grandfather’s to live, he said to Mrs. Hilt: 

“1 am glad Guy Boyd is going where Nina can- 
not see him so often. And it may be that she will 
soon forget him and learn to love Tom Ware. We 
will try to get them married while Guy is away.” 

Nina was in the adjoining room and heard 
every word her father said. 

Siie stepped into his room, and said: “Father, 
I will never marry Tom Ware, with all his gold. 
] would rather marry Guy and work for my daily 
bread-” 

Mr. Hilt said: “Nina, I thought you had some 
Judgment, but I am sorry to say you haven’t a 
bit.” 

“No, father, I will admit that I haven’t, if mar- 
rying Tom Ware is judgment.” 

She then went into her room and burst into a 
flood of tears. 

It was a. sad time to Nina when Guy came to 
bid her good bye, the day before he left for his 
gi*an cl fa tiler’s, for she knew Tom w’ould do as her 


NINA HILT. 


51 


father had said ; lie would try to take advantage of 
CJiiy’s absence; but she didn’t tell Guy what Mr. 
Hilt had said, for she didn’t want to worry him. 

The hours flew by and at last Guy arose and 
said: ‘“Well, Nina, I must leave you,” and both 
promised to be true to each other and parted. 

Guy arrived at his grandfather’s late the next 
a fternoon. 

After talking to his grandfather awhile, his 
thoughts ran back to the girl he left behind him. 
Uemembering his promise to write, he went to his 
room and wrote a long letter to Nina, and hurried 
to mail it, 

Nina felt very lonesome after Guy left, and 
could hardly wait to hear from him. It was two 
days before she heard from him, as the mail was 
carried through in a, coach, by the way of the city 

of A , and from tliere was sent to the vil- 

lage. 

On this afternoon, Henry, her brother, w'ent to 
the village for the mail. When he returned he 
brought Nina three letters, and gave them to her 
in the presence of her father. 

Nina took them, and glanced at the postmarks. 
’I'hen she opened Guv’s letter first. 

Henry unthoughtedly said : ‘T knew you would 
read Guy’s letter first.” 

^Ir* Hilt looked at her quickly and said : ‘^My 
conscience, Nina, have you begun receiving letters 
from Guy Boyd?” 

‘^Yes, father; this is from Guy.” 

Nina’s heart leaped in her throat, for she sus- 
pected her father would forbid her writing to 
Guy. But he didn’t say another word about it. 

Nina answered Guy’s letter immediately. 


f>2 


NINA HILT. 


As s'Oon as Toni beard that Gu.y had loft the vil- 
lage, he tliought to himself, ‘"Xow is my time to 
try to win Nina’s love, so 1 will just have my 
liorses hooked to my buggy and drive to Hilt 
Home this afternoon, and begin my suit right.’’ 

When Nina, saw Tom coming, she said: 

“I would give anything in reason if Tom Ware 
would stay at home and let me alone. I can’t see 
why he keeps coming liere, anyhow.” 

Her father said: ‘‘Oh, Nina, you ought to bo 
nice to Mr, Ware; you know he has lots of money, 
and don’t you think you would like to be a nice, 
rich man’s wife.” 

‘‘Well, father, if the one I loved was rich, I 
would lilve to be his wife. But I don’t think riches 
without love would be any good. I know Tom has 
I lie money, but I could never love him.” 

Then Mrs. Hilt said: “Oh, Nina, don't talk 
that wav; you know how much your father thinks 
of Tom.” 

“It is only the love I have for father that makes 
me treat him with any sort of respect.” 

!Mrs. Hilt looked out and saw Tom driving up, 
and said : “Tliere he comes now, Nina. Do be 
nice to him this afternoon.” 

As Nina entered the parlor door, Tom greeted 
her by saying: “Nina, how w^ell you are looking 
this afternoon.” 

“Tliank 3^011, Mr- Ware; but I am not feeling 
very well, as I am ver}^ lonesome and blue since 
Guy left.” 

“Yes, I heard he was gone, and I hope you will 
never see him again. 

N ina said : “Well, the idea of you saying such 
a thing. I wouldn’t wish an3'one such bad luck as 


NINA HILT. 


53 

that. For I am sure 1 would be very sad indeed 
it I thought I wmild never see Guy again. But 
T don’t entertain an idea like yours, for an instant. 
Fray tell me wliy you should say such a thing ?” 

“All right; I have been wanting to tell you for 
a long while and you wouldn’t let me. Now listen, 
Xina, Yiou are the first girl I ever really fancied 
and 1 must acknowledge to you that I am in love 
witli you and want you to lie my wife.” 

X ina looked straight into his eyes and said : 
“^Ir. Ware, this can never be, for I do not love 
you and I could not marry a man that I do not 
Jove. Furthermore, 1 am Guy’s promised wife. 
On tile evening before he left I promised him I 
would always be true, and I am determined I Avill 
keep my promise.” 

/J'om said: “Oh, some times people change 
their notion almost before they know it, and 
T believe you could, if you would try. I have a 
beautiful home and plenty of money which you 
would enjoy. You know Guy is a poor boy.” 

“That is all right; if Guy is poor, he is quite 
young yet, and he may be rich some day.” 

“Weil, Xina, I want you to study this matter 
over well, and I will come back again soon and 
see if you don’t talk quite different.” 

“Don’t put yourself to so much trouble, Mr. 
A\'are, unless you have the time to lose.” 

Tom said he didn’t consider time spent wdth her 
lost* Then he left her. 


CHAPTER IX. 
guy's last visit. 

Several letters had passed between Xina and 
Guy, and Xina has written last. She is expecting a 


54 NINA HILT, 

letter from him today. 

That afternoon when ^Ir. Hilt returned from 
tlie village, Nina said : ^‘Father, have you a letter 
for me? 

Her father replied: ‘‘No, Nina, I haven’t any 
f or you.” 

Nina didn’t think her father meant to tell her a 
story, but somehow she felt like he must have a 
letter for her. 

So she sat in her father’s room and talked and 
read to him that evening until late bedtime. She 
thought often of the letter she ought to have had. 

She bade her father and mother good night. 
4dien went to her room and waited until her father 
had retired. She then stole softly back to his room 
and examined her father’s pockets. There she 
found her letter. She crept back to her room 
quickly, and read her letter. When she thought 
how near she came to not getting Guy’s letter, a 
sluidder ran over her frame and she tried to think 
that her father didn’t do it intentionally. 

She answered the letter immediately and told 
Guy about her father getting her letter and not 
giving it to her. But she told him she thought, 
perhaps, he didn’t do it intentionally. 

The next letter Guy wrote he told her he was 
coming to see her soon. And at the appointed time 
lie came. 

But Mr- Hilt knew nothing of the expected visit 
until Guy came. 

When Mrs. Hilt told him Guy was in the parlor 
talking to Nina, he siiid: “It seems to me that 
Nina is determined to marry Guy Boyd against 
my wishes. I have had enough trouble of this 
kind. 0, how I wish she would listen to me.” 


NINA HILT. 


55 

; Hilt replied: not be uneasy about 

■ Xina marrying against your wishes, Mr. Hilt; for 
I 1 liave heard her say many times she never would.” 

! “You have, wife? I know Nina has always been 
I a good, obedient child. But from the way things 
are going, I am afraid this will be one time she 
will not obey me.” 

‘‘Well, I wouldn't worry any more about it, Mr. 
Hilt.” 

Guy returned home without meeting Mr. Hilt, 
and they continued their coiTC-spondence witliout 
any interference. 

Tom Ware came again, thinking perhaps Nina 
had clianged lier notion. But Nina would not see 
him alone since that day he had tried so hard 
to make love to her. In fact she did not want to 
see him at all, but her mother insisted on her going 
in for a few minutes. 

Nina replied: “All right, mother; I will go in, 
if you will promise not to leave us alone.” 

Tom thought it very strange that Mrs. Hilt 
should remain in the room* He insisted on taking 
X^ina for a drive. 

But she thanked him and said that she didn’t 
care to drive. 

So he de*cided that he would not return to the 
flilt Home any more soon, as he did not seem to 
be winning Nina’s love like he thought he would. 

The last letter Nina had from Guy he stated 
that he was coming to spend Christmas holidays 
with his father, and that he expected to be with 
her quite a good deal. 

So she put the house in order and helped mother 
do her baking with a light heart and she seemed to 
be so happy that ^Irs. Hilt suspicioned that Guy 


NINA HILT. 


r>G 

was coming. 

On the evening before Guy was to come, Mrs. 
H'ilt told her husband that Nina had been un- 
usually jolly that week and that she susi^ected 
Guy Boyd was coming soon. 

Mr. Hilt returned: ‘‘Well, wife, just let him 
come for he may make much of this visit, because 
this must be the last time he will come to see 
Nina.” 

“Why, Mr. Hilt, you are not going to tell him to 
stop visiting Nina, are you?” . 

‘*1 don^t know that 1 will tell him in words, but 
1)0 must stop, for he has been coming here long 
enough. And just as long as he is permitted to 
come here Nina will reject Tom’s love and you 
know that will never do. 1 am afraid he is already 
tired of coming here without any encouragement 
whatever from Nina. It looks that way to me, as 
he hasn’t been here now for two weeks.” 

“^Ir. Hilt, I am sure Nina will never care for 
Tom Ware, whether Guy is permitted to come or 
not.” 

“Oh, I hope she will; I haven’t given up yet,” 
replied Mr. Hilt. 

Guy arrived at his father’s on Christmas eve, 
and early the next morning he went over to spend 
the day with Nina- It had l3een thrc'e months since 
lie last saw her. 

Nina met him with a happy smile as usual, and 
the mornig passed off rapidly. 

Promptly at twelve dinner was announced. 

Nina’s first thought was, I wonder how father 
will receive Guy. Oh, I do hope he will be nice to 
him. 

When they entered the dining room, Mr. Hilt 


NINA HILT. 


57 


j^polce to (illy as tliough be was a stranger. 

Nina talked to both Guy and her father^ and 
ti'ied bard to get up a conversation lietween them. 
But ^Ir. Hilt seemed perfectly indili'erent, and 
Nina felt very much relieved when they were out 
of her fatlier’s sight. 

Guy said : “Nina, [ never had any one treat me 
will) as much inditference as your fatlier did to- 
day. 1 don’t think 1 shall ever dine at his table 
again until I am sure I am welcome.” 

“(lUy, don’t think you are not welcome; that is 
not the reason he acted so cool and inditferent to- 
ward von. You know the real reason just as well 
as 1 do.” 

Gin^ said: ‘'Well, yes; I suppose it is all on 
d’orn Ware’s account.” 

that is the reason why, and 1 wish 1 had 
never nud Tom Ware, for he has c-ertainly caused a 
great deal of trouble,” replied Xina. 

Guy came to see Xina. eveiy day tlirougli the 
( 'hristmas. 

On the evening before his leaving he and Xina 
v.ere out driving. Guy said: “Xina, 1 have given 
up all hope of ever getting your father’s consent 
for us to marry and 1 believe you have, too; and 1 
can’t see why we should let this separate us forever. 
Now, listen to me, Xina, if you are willing we will 
nev'er return to vour honm again until vou are my 
wife.” 

“t)h, Guy, I cannot marry without father’s con- 
sent, for he would never forgive me in this world. 

{ can't think of such a thing as running away 
to get married. Just think! Mary ran away and 
father never forgave her and didn’t permit her 
to come home for two years, and he would not 


58 NINA HILT. 

liave let her come then but she and Jolin were 
preparing to move away, and father thought he 
might possibly never see her face again.” 

“Oh, yes, Nina, 1 think your father would soon 
forgive you; you know you have always been his 
})et. You know when he inti'oduced me to you he 
called you his baby girl, and he always seemed to 
love you so much.” 

“Yes, Guy, 1 know father loves me; that would 
be why it would seem so hard to forgive me. And, 
furthermore, Guy, I am somewhat superstitious 
about nmaway couples. I never heard of one who 
lived a very happy life. Did you Guy?” 

“Well, i don’t know, Nina; 1 guess I have. 
Nina, I never heard you say you were superstitious 
before.” 

“'No, I guess not. I don’t know that I ever told 
you that I was superstitious, but don’t you remem- 
ber ] told you when you went to live with your 
grandfather that T had a presentiment that some 
ill fate would befall us.” 

“Well, you see there is nothing in this notion of 
yours. We have been getting along nicely with our 
('orrespondence and I have been allow^ed to visit 
\ ou at your home.” 

“Yes, I know all this, but I still fear that 
'('mething will happen yet to part us forever.” 

“1 can’t see why you have such a notion as this, 
Nina.” 

“Listen a moment, and I will tell you something 
' have been keeping from you so long. I heard 
r.ither tell mother after you left the village that 
V ws very glad you were gone, and that he 
bought 1 would soon forget you and would learn 
love Tom Ware. He also said that was the 


NINA HILT. 


59 


time for tlieni tO' do all they could to get Tom and 
I married- Someway or somehow Tom heard you 
were going and he came at once to propose to me/' 

Then Guy said: ^^Xina, did you promise to 
marry Tom?’’ 

‘^‘\\'hat a silly question, Guy. You ought to 
know me well enough by this time to know that I. 
would never do such a. foolisli thing as to engage 
myself to two gentlemen at onc^. My conscience 
i would not allow me to do such a thing, and, besides" 

I when a girl or boy engages themselves to two 
; different ones at the same time she or he is bound 
' to know that they are telling a falsehood, for they 
n^iirely are false to one or the other, and God forbid 
fchat I should ever prove false to any one.” 
ft Guy replied: ^‘Xina, 1 haven’t the least fear 
that you will ever prove false to me.” 

After Guy and X ina returned to Hilt Home and 
\A'ere in the parlor, Xina asked Guy to sing for her, 
as Guy had a splendid soprano voice. When Guy 
camiC he brought Xina some music, among which 
was the latest love song. 

So while Guy was singing this song, Mr. Hilt 
was in his room and heard these words: 

“Don’t forget me, little darling, 

Tlio’ from you I’m far away; 

But remember, little darling. 

That I think of you each day.’’ 

This was more than Mr. Hilt could endure. He 
arose quickly and went into the front hall and 
})i'omenaded back and forth across the hall the en- 
tire time the song was being sung. 

X^ina heard her father and recognized his foot- 
steps, and expected any moment to see him enter 
the parlor door. 

After the song was finished Guy bade Xina fare- 


NINA HILT. 


GO 

weU and went to spend the night Avith his father’s 
family, and returned to his home the next day. 

After (luy left Hilt Home that evening Mr. Hilt 
said : ‘'Xina, 1 never want to hear Guy Boyd sing 
anotlier love song to you, for I think it is disgust- 
ing to heal* hoys sing love songs to girls: it is 
something 1 won’t tolerate.” 

‘*No, I don’t suppose you will, as it is Guy ; but 
it it was Tom Ware you would really enjoy it. 1 
don't think Guy did any harm, for I asked him to 
sing for me.” 

“^^’ell, I hope you will never ask him to sing 

“k’athcr, I really fedt sorry for Guy today, and 
1 think you and mother mistreated him badly ; and, 
pray tell me, father, why you walked the front hall 
Avhile Guy was singing? Why did you not come in 
and ask liim to sto]), if he Avas bothering you? 1 
am quite sure he Avould have stopped immedi- 
ately.” 

“Nina, 1 am sure your mother did not mistreat 
him-” 

“Well, I don’t knoAv Avhether mother meant to 
mistreat him or not; hut AA^hen Guy left I AA^alked 
with him to the door, and mother Avas standing 
in the front hall. 1 don’t knoAV hoAV long she had 
been tluTe, or Avhat she Avas there for, but I noticeel 
Guy’s face turn red AA*hen he saAv mother standing 
in the hall, and 1 could tell from his looks that 
he thought mother Avas trying to hear Avhat ^ye AAere 
talking about ; and, mother spoke so cool AA'hen Guy 
told her good bye.” 

Then Nina arose and Avent to her room, and 
Avondered if any other girl ever had so much 
trouble as she. Tears floAved from her ej^es for 


NINA HILT. 


G1 


some rime, and then she thought hoAV foolisli it 
was of her to eultivate lier trouble in this man- 
ner. Slie wiped her eyes and said: ‘^Life is too 
short to spend intears; I will brace up and try 
to bear my troul)les as l)est 1 can; maybe they will 
soon be over. 1 know my life will Ik) bright and 
ha})})y when 1 am Guy's v/ife.'’ 

Tlnm she thought of tlie letter, wliich she ex- 
j)ected to receive from Guy very soon. 

CHAPTER X. 

T.111JEK MISSING LETTEItS. 

One week has passed since Guy returned to his 
gi'andfa tiler’s, and Nina has not had a letter from 
him since lie returned to his home. She could 
not imagine nhat was the matter with Guy. 

Slie made incpiiries of every one who went to tire 
oilice for mail ; but no letter came to her. Two, 
three weeks, and then a month passed, but the ex- 
pected letter did not come. 

She was very anxious about the letter she never 
received for tlie first two or three weeks; but now 
she is worried at Guy and she thought to lierself : 
'/‘Well, perhaps Guy has grown tired of our en- 
gagement, and wants to be free; and if he does, 
lie shall be. Who wouldn’t get tired of being mis- 
treated as father has mistreated him?” 

So she wrote Guy a letter and asked him why 
he had quit writing to lier since his return home, 
and asked him if he had grown weary of their en- 
gagement, and, if so, she would release him at once. 

AATen Guy received Nina’s letter, he was shocked 
to think Nina hadn’t received any of his letters, 
as he had written her three letters and had not 
received an answer to any of them, fie knew 


62 


NINA HILT. 


bome thing was wrong. So he answered her letter . 
at once and told her that he had written her three i 
times and had been ver}^ mucli worried at not hav- 
ing received an answer to his letters. He said he 
feared some one had gotten liis letters and de- 
stroyed them. 

This letter came to Nina all right- She became 
very indignant and said : ‘T don’t believe Guy 
ever wrote those letters; if he did why did I not 
receive them, for this one came all right.” 

When she answered Guy’s letter she said : “Guy, { 
your letter came all right and you said you had 
written three letters before this one, and insinuated 
that my father had destroyed them. Guy, I don’t 
believe you ever wrote those letters. I am sure 
3 'ou are tired of our engagtmient, and 1 ask to be 
released at once.” 

When Guy read this letter he said: “Well, I 
guess Mr. Hilt and Tom Ware have Nina going 
their way now, so I will accept her proposition. 
For I know Mr. Hilt will never consent for Nina 
to marry me. He is determined for her to marry 
'Tom Ware. It grieves me very much to think of 
Nina’s ever being Tom M'are’s wife, but I must 
submit.” 

The correspondence between Nina and Guy grew 
very warm, and soon the engagement was broken, 
and all letters returned. 

Sarah was at home on a, visit when Nina re- 
turned Guy’s letters. 

When she had them all packed ready to mail, 
she threw her arms around Sarah’s neck and said : 
“Oh, Sarah, this has turned out just like I thought 
it would when Guy left the village. Well, this is 


NINA HILT. 


63 


liHppy with him, and now 1 mnst try to forget him. 
Sarah, don’t you know, I believe in lottery. J 
Icnow God never intended that Guy and 1 should 
marry. That is the reason why we have had so 
much trouble during our engagement. And, 
Sarah, I believe that is the reason you didn’t marry 
Joe Smith, because Gcxl intended that you should 
marry Will- I thought you and Joe had lots of 
1 rouble, but 3 ’’ou don’t know what trouble is. Well, 
this will be a lesson to me. I will never suffer 
myself to love another boy whom father objects to. 
Jn fact, if 1 alwa^^s feel as I do now, I wdll never 
care for another one.” 

^^Cheer up, Xina, I am sure you will soon get 
over all of this, and you will find someone that 
you will love better than you ever loved Guy Boyd. 
Girls rarely ever marry their first love.” 

‘Ts that true, Sarah ?” Oh, yes, you didn’t 
man*y your first love either, did you?” 

^^Xo,” replied Sarah.. 

‘T^oor Joe, I wonder where he is now? Did I 
ever tell you, Sarah, that he wrote to me soon after 
you were married, and asked me to correspond with 
him. He was living in Missouri then.” 

^T)id you answer his letter, Xina?” 

‘‘Xo, I didn’t.” 

‘^Did he say anything about me in his letter?” 

^^X’othing in particular, only he said he didn’t 
tliink I would mistreat him as 3 ’ou did. Sarah, .1 
hope he has found some nice sweet girl to love him. 
Poor boy ! you know how much I used to sympa- 
thize with him, and now, since I have had so much 
trouble, I sympathize with him more than ever.” 

^^Xina, please don’t talk about your troubles 
any more. Let me tell you something. I am going 


04 


NINA HH-T. 


Iioriie lOinoiTow and I want you to go lionie with me 
arid «])end a week or two. dames Kedd lives near 
us and he will make you have a nice time, 1 am 
sure, dames is a line neighbor. 1 wish you and 
dames would get up a case and get married; then 
y(Ki would be my neiglibor. 

“I will go home with you, Sarali, but, under- 
stand, 1 am not going to try to ^catch’ dames lledd 
or any other man, for 1 expect to remain Xina Hilt 
many years and perhaps all my life-’’ 

When Xina told lier mother and father she was 
going home with Sarah, Mr. Hilt said: ‘‘Don’t 
stay long, my daughter, for you are not looking 
well, and I shall he worried a.l)out you.’’ 

“01], don’t worry about me, father; I am all 
right.” 

After Sarah and Xina had gone, Mr. Hilt said to 
Ids wife: “1 don’t know what C'-an he the matter 
witli Xina, for she is looking so })ale and thin and 
she seems to be in trouble. 1 sometimes think we 
ought uot try to get lier to marry Tom Ware, for 
1 really believe she hates him.” 

“1 know she does, Mr. Hilt, and I feel just like 
you do about it.” 

“W(dl, wife, hereafter we will let lier decide 
her love affairs witliout interfering, for I feel that 
1 have treated her unjustly. My conscience hurt.s 
me when I think liow much pain she has endured 
about those Utters she ought to have had.” 

“Well, well, Mr. Hilt, it is too late to bo sorry 
now; so don’t say anything to Xina about Guy or 
those missing letters either, for 1 think she "will 
soon forget him. if she does not want to marry 
'rom Ware, she will soon iind some one else whom 
s-lie likes. I am sure there will be no trouble for 


I NINA HILT. 65 

I Ximi to marry; for Nina makes friends wherever 
she goes.'’ 

j '^*1 have my doubts about her falling in love 
I again soon/’ replied Mr. Hilt. “This will just 
I about make an old maid of her, and 1 can’t bear 
I the idea of Nina lieing a cross old maid, and have 
I (.‘vcrybody hating her; furthermore, if 1 should 
(lie and leave her, who would she have to care for 
^ her?” Mr. Hilt almost broken down. 

’ . Mrs. Hilt replied : “Cheer up, Mr- Hilt, for 1 
; am sure Nina, will make her way tlirough this 
: world all right. 1 really believe that you are sorry 
^ (riiy and Nina’s engagement is broken, as much as 
you opposed their marriage.” 

“\o, 1 never wanted Nina to marry Guy, for I 
wanted her to marry Tom Ware. But since she 
and Guy have split up, she won’t even go in the 
]>arlor where IMm is when be conies to see her. 
So I have giv'cii up all hopes of this match.” 


CHAPTEB Xr. 
nina’s visits to her sister. 

.Vina had a much more pleasant visit at Sarah’s 
rluin she had anticipated. 

! James Bedd was real nice to her. He drove a 
I lovely span of horses which Nina enjoyed very 
I much, and she considered James one of her best 
friimds when she left Sarah’s. 

.Vftor slie had spent two weeks with Sarah, one 
morning she said: “Sarah, I am going to leave 
you to(lay, but 1 am not going home, for every- 
i thing at home reminds me of the past. 1 have de- 
cided to make ^lary a visit, as 1 haven’t seen her 
for a good while. Mr. Kedd is going to accompany 
me to Mary’s.” 


66 


NINA HILT. 


‘‘1 am really glad you are going to see ^lary, 
Nina, for jioor iMary so ■ seldom gets to come 
home/’ 

Nina said: ''You know 1 will have to pass by 
home on my way to Clary’s, so I will run in and tell 
father, in order that he may know where I am.” 

James lledd drove his beautiful horses up in 
front of Sarah’s gate and stopped. Nina then bade 
Sarah good bye and she and James were soon far 
on their way- After they left Sarah said to Will : 
“I think it will do Nina a great deal of good to 
visit ^lary now, for I think she will become more 
reconciled about her broken engagement when she 
sees the consequences of marrying against her 
father’s will.” 

“Oh, Nina has known for quite a while how un- 
eongenial John and Mary are,” said Will. 

“I know. Will, but it has been quite a long time 
since she has been with them, and she can’t imagine 
how bad it really is.” 

When Nina and James drove by Hilt Home, 
Nina ran in and told her father she was on her 
way to visit ^lary and that she would return home 
some time soon, but she didn’t know exactly when. 

She bade her father and mother good-bye and 
then returned to tlie front lawn gate, where James 
was awaiting her. 

James alighted and assisted her into his buggy 
and Hilt Home was soon far behind them. 

When they arrived at Clary’s, a neat little cot- 
tage home, James assisted Nina out, turned his 
horses around, tipped his hat to Nina, and was 
gone. 

Mary saw James as he drove away and she ran 
out and met Nina and said : ‘'Oh, Nina,, I am so 


NINA HILT. 


()7 


to see you ; but do tell me who that gentleman 
is who came with you.” 

‘’That was Mr. James Kedd. You remember 
bim, Mary; you know he was Will’s best man when 
Will and Sarah manned.” 

“Yes, 1 remember him. But how came lie with 
you? And where is Guy? The last time you came 
to see me Guy came with you, and you seemed to 
l)e the best of sweethearts. I have been expecting 
to get an invitation to your wedding ever since.” 

Yina replied : came from Sarah’s today, and 

T thought it real nice of yir. Redd to bring me.” 
''riicn she hesitated. 

‘‘YTll, go on Y^ina, you haven’t answered my 
(piestion about Guy. Tell me where he is?” 

^Alary, I am trying to forget Guy and rarely 
ever mention his name to anyone, luit 1 will tell 
you. You can’t imagine how many trials and 
tribulations we have endured- You know how 
much father disliked Guy? Well, I hope father is 
happy now since all is over between us. For 1 a-m 
sure 1 am not happy, and don’t believe Guy is, al- 
though men do nof - take trouble to heart liki' 
women do.” 

^^Oh, what on earth has happened, Yina ?” 

^^Yothing only there were some missing letters 
and Guy and I quarreled about them, and now v'c 
are only friends.” 

Mary said: ^T didn’t know people were gener- 
al ly friends after they quarreled.” 

‘T will always be Guy’s friend, no matter what 
happens. Just think. We were engaged two years 
and now it is broken on account of three missiiig 
letters.” 

^AYhat do you suppose ever became of the Jetter-, 


NINA HILT 


C8 

Ninar” 

“Oil, I (loirt know whelbnr lie ever wrote lluvni 
or not. I know 1 never received iuiy. Gny 
lie w rote tlien, and someone else got them. Some 
liow I couldn’t believe that be had written them, 
and yon know, l\tary, bow quick tempered 1 am. 
So 1 wro-te to him, and you can imagine wbat kind 
ot a letter J wrote. We quarreled, and that was 
llie last between us ; and, ^Mary, it is a great mys- 
tery to me, which I fear will never be solved, 
v/liat (;ver became of those letters.” 

“W hy, that’s no mystery to me, Xina. Of course, 
father got the letters and destroyed them, lie- 
member, you foimd one in his pocket, soon after 
Guy left the village, and it’s my opinion that that 
is where these tlirec landed.” 

”Oh, Mary, I don’t want to suffer myself to 
think this of father. Let’s talk of something else, 
'roll me, ^lary, why are you so sad, and pray tell 
me what is the matter with you? Why don’t you 
cheer up? You make me feel right blue* AVlum T 
left Sarah she looktxl so bright and happy, and 
that’s the way we all ought to look.” 

Mary replied : ‘G wish I could look happy and 
cheerful, but J haven’t seen but very few happy 
days since 1 married John against father’s will. 
Oh how many times 1 have repented of this act. 
1 would never advise any girl to marr}^ against 
their father’s wishes, for 1 certainly have reaped 
a bitter reward for my disobedience to father.” 

Nina seemed to be in a deep study the whole 
iime ^tarv was talking, and when she had finished 
Xina said: ' Y'L 

“1 will take warning from your ill fate, Mary, 
and I now promise you to quit grieving about those 


NINA HILT. 


f/J 

iD'issing let.l<?rs. If fathcT got tlu'm, of course, he 
! didn’t think it best for me to have them, and from 
this on I shall wear a bright and smiling face and 
try to be happy myself and make other people 
happy.” ^ 

‘‘I’hat's a good determination, Xina, and I hope 
you will not depart from it.” 

“Xo, 1 shall not, for my mind is thoroughly 
made up in regard to this matter.” 

Xina was thoroughly disgusted as to John’s 
treatment toward ^lary during her two weeks’ 
visit in Mary’s home. 

When she was ready to leave and bade ilary 
good-bye, she said : 

“^lary, home will be much sweeter to me now. 

1 think 1 shall go home and live a life of single 
blessedness.” 

When X"ina arrived home Mr. and Mrs. Hilt 
wore never so glad to see her before, and they were 
perfectly surprised to see her looking so jolly and 
liappy. They wondered what had caused this 
change and thought perhaps she had seen Guy and 
wondered if they had made up again. 

Xo, X"ina never expected to see Guy again; 
neither did she care to. Her mind was made up 
quite dilferent from this. She went about home 
singing and laughing and talking to her father 
and mother, and spent many hours reading to 
them, as she hadn’t done for months past. 

Mr. Hilt said : “Well, wife, Xina is herself once 
more. This is our Xina of old, returned to us.” 


CHAPTER XII. 

XINA IN SCHOOL AGAIN. 

Xina went to the village quite often and fre- 


70 


NINA HILT. 


(.juently visited Mrs. Boyd, as tliey are still very 
dear friends; and she has other friends whom she 
visits at the village, and among them is Mrs. Bell, 
a widow lady, whose husband was supposed to be 
very rich. But after his death, when his property 
had to be divided by long division, as he had quite a 
large family, Mrs. Bell’s income was not as much 
as she anticipated. So she decided to teach a class 
fd‘ young ladies, to earn her living without draw- 
ing on the ‘money left her by her husband. 

One day when Nina was visiting at her home, 
]\Irs. Bell told Nina of her intention to teach, and 
asked Nina if she would like to attend this school. 
Nina was delighted at the idea and she told Mrs. 
Bell she would let her know as soon as she con- 
sulted her father. 

When Nina arrived at Hilt House that afternoon 
she said : ^^Father, 1 have some good news to tell 
you.” 

iMr. Hilt said: ^^What is it, daughter?” 

^‘^Irs. Bell informed me today that she is going 
to teach a class of young ladies at the village and 
she is very anxious that I attend. I told her that 
1 would come if you were willing, as I am anxious 
to review my studies.” 

l\Ir. Hilt very readily gave his consent, and the 
next Monday morning Nina was one among the 
twelve young ladies who gathered in Mrs. Bell’s 
school room. 

N ina looked around and said : 

^^Well, girls, this makes me feel like a child 
again.” 

Ella Cash, one of Nina’s best friends, said: 
“^Nina, 1 am sure you are not much more than a 
child.” 


NINA HILT. 


71 


I “Xo, Ella/^ said Xina, ^^l-am not very old in 
years, but 1 am in experience.'’ 

Mrs. Bell then called the scliool to order and 
'Xina and Ella sat together. 

' ^Irs. Bell was on the reserved order, and she 
lliought she had the jolliest set of girls in Ken- 
tucky. She named them ‘‘The Jolly T^velve.” 

The girls were all very fond of Mrs. Bell, and 
she loved all the girls, but Kina was her favorite. 
So often at recess Mrs. Bell would ask Kina to sit 
and talk with her. X'ina considered this a great 
pleasure, as Mrs. Bell was very entertaining. So 
XTua and Mrs. Bell got to be very dear friends, and 
she counted these some of the happiest days of 
her life and felt that she would be sorry when 
school was out, when she would have to bid her 
teacher and dear girl friends good-bye. 

One morning when the school was nearing to 
a close Kina entered the school room as usual with 
a bright and radiant face. Mrs. Bell called her 
and said: “Oome here. Kina, and sit by me, I 
have some bad news for you-” 

Kina said: “Bad news! AVhat can it be, Mrs. 
Bell? 1 would much prefer hearing good news.” 

“Dr. Boyd heard last evening that Guy was 
married.” 

“Oh ! that isn’t bad news for me, Mrs. Bell, 
for Guy and I have split up long ago.” 

Then Mrs. Bell, just to tease Kina, began to 
sing: 

“Thou hast learned to love another, 

Thou hast broken every vow, 

Oh! that I this tie could sever, 

For I am sad and lonely now.” 

Of course this brought the past up fresh in 


NINA HILT. 


Xjna\-^ memory and it weiglied heavily on her 
heart for a few minutes, but t^lie had determined 
long ago not to allow herself to worry about Guy | 
j>o\'d any more. So she applied herself to her ’ 
studies harder that day than ever and would not 
allow herself to think of Guy. She soon threw j 
the feeling oft, and was herself again. 

The day Mrs. BelFs school was out each pupil 
went to their home feeling that they had spent a 
few happy days together, long to be remembered : 
by them. 


CHArTEK XII [. 

CLARAS VISIT AND THE DEATH OF MRS. BOYD. 

There was quite a number of young ladies and ’ 
gentlemen who lived in and near the village, so it • 
was considered quite a Jolly place* There was : 
always some place of amusement to go to. The 
young people gathered at the skating rink, ball ; 
room, or some social entertainment several evenings ! 
during the week. Nina was present on most all oc- | 
casions. One evening when Xina was at a ball i 
dancing, a friend of hers stepped up to her as tlie | 
music stopiml and said : Xina., Mr. Robert Jones 
has been watching you dance.^’ 

Xina said: “Mr. Robert eTones ! What of that? 
Tliat old man V’ 

“Yes, he told me to ask you if you hadiiT rather 
be an old man’s darling than a young man’s slave.” 

Xina just in fun laughed and said: “Tell him 
yes,” for she thought, of course, it was a Joke. 

Mv, Jones was a Jolly old bachelor with a good 
deal of means, and he meant every word he sent 
to Xina. 

In a very few days Mr. Jones was found on his 


NINA HILT. 


If.) 

i t> 

way to Hilt House, but, to his regret, when be got 
tlu'rc, he found that Xina was not at lioiue. Mrs. 
Hilt told him that Nina was visiting her sister, 
8arali. 

He then asked permission to go and bring Xina 
home, but Mrs. Hilt thought perhaps Xina would 
think she was trying to get up another Tom M'are 
ease, and also remembering the promise she and 
.Mr. Hilt made to each other never to meddle with 
X ilia’s love affairs again, said: ‘^Xo, i\rr. Jones, I 
am sure Xina’s visit isn’t out yet, and t would pre- 
fer you not to go for her.” 

Mr. Jones said he was very sorry to have missed 
Xina, and took his departure- 

Mhen Xina returned home and Mrs. Hilt told 
her of ]\Ir. Jones’ visit, she said: Oh mother! 
The very idea of that old man coming to see me ! 
I wonder if he thinks 1 would marry him? I 
^rould feel as though I was marrying my grand- 
father. His head is as white as cotton. Well, 
i won’t worry myself, for I don’t suppose he will 
ever come again. I’ll catch my horse and ride to 
the village and perhaps I’ll get a letter from Clara 
Mdnfrey.” 

Xina went to the village and returned with a 
letter from Clara stating that she was coming to 
Hilt House the next week. This was good news 
for Xina for she had often wished for Clara to 
visit her. 

She spent the whole of the week preparing for 
Clara’s visit and invited all her friends, both girls 
and boys, to Call as soon as her guest arrived. 

Clara came one day e^arlier than Xina expected 
her. She came running in and said: ^‘Xina, I 
hope you will excuse me for coming a day sooner 


74 


NINA AILT. 


than I wrote you, hut Frank Gage, a friend of 
mine, had some business to attend to in the city of 

C and he asked me to come with him. Yon 

know, Xina, I could not refuse Frank.’" 

“Oh! that’s all right, Clara; Fm real glad you 
came today. Isn’t Frank coming in?” 

‘'Xo, he said he would call on his return.” 

^Ydara, is Frank your best friend now?” 

‘'Oh ! yes, and he is such a dear, good boy, and 
he is perfectly lovely to me.” 

"Clara, 1 believe you are in love with him.” 

"Sure I I am, and we are engaged, but we haven’t 
announced our engagement. We thought we would 
wait until after 1 had made this visit.” j 

"I’m so glad you haven’t, for if yon had an- ] 
non need your engagement the boys would not be 
near so nice to you, and I want you to have a good 
time. So many have told me they were going to 
call wliile you were here- The boys at the village 
are always nice to visitors. Do you dance, Clara ?” 

"Oh ! yes.” 

"Well, we’ll go to the ball Wednesday evening. 
We have such nice balls, and mother says I may 
give a reception Ttiesday in honor of you, and then 
you will meet all my friends. I want this to be 
the grandest entertainment of the season.” J 

"Oh ! that’s so nice of you, Xina. Are the ' 
invitations out?” 

"Oh ! yes. The cards have been out several days, j 
You know tomorrow evening is the time for the I 
reception. Mother is going to serve a. nice lunch, ' 
and she said she wanted you and I to arrange the , 
table. Can’t you suggest some new ideas, as you • 
have been attending such swell entertainments in 
the city?” 


NIkA hilt. 


75 

j “Oh yes, Xina, I am sure we shall have the table 
! looking beautiful/’ 

! Then Clara said: “Xina, you are not listening 
I to me. AViiat are you studying about?” 
j “T was only thinking it would be nice if Mrs. 

■ Cole would entertain while you are here. I have 
been to several nice dances at her home and she 
knows just how to make everybody have a good 
time. Her table is always loaded with every tiling 
nice and good to eat.” 

“Is Mrs. Cole a young married lady, Xina?” 

“Oh no, but she is one of the loveliest old ladies 
I ever saw and she seems to enjoy the dances just 
as much as the young people.” 

“Wouldn’t it be nice if she should entertain 
while I’m here, Xina?” 

“I am quite sure she would if she knew that we 
wished her to so much, but I can’t think of asking 
her to. You know they are lots of trouble as well 
as expense-” 

“There comes Frank now; I want you to meet 
him, Xina. He isn’t handsome but he is a good 
boy.” 

“Of course you think he is good, and I’m sur- 
prised at you not thinking he is handsome as you 
are in love with him, for it is an old saying that 
love hides a multitude of faults ; and I think it is a 
true adage, as that was my experience when I was 
in love.” 

“There’s Frank at the door, and I wan’t you to 
tell me after he is gone what you think of him.” 

“All right, I’ll tell you, Ciara. You know I’ve 
had a good deal of experience and am a pretty good 
judge of human nature.” 

Clara met Frank at the door and led the way into 


7G 


NINA HILT. 


the pcirlor. ^'ina advanced toward them with ex- 
tended hand and said : ‘‘I am glad to meet you, 

:\[r. (iag-e. Clara tells me that you are a very dear 
friend of hers, and there’s a warm spot in my heart 
for all of Clara’s friends.” Frank thanked Nina 
politely and took his seat. 

Nina thought to herself: ^‘Well, Clara told the 
truth when she said Frank wasn’t handsome for L 
know he is the ugliest man 1 ever saw. I can’t see 
how on earth Ckra can love him. I am sure I 
could never love an ugly man, and especially one 
as ugly as Frank Gage. I hope Clara won't ask 
me how 1 lik'e his looks, for I don’t want to hurt 
her feelings, but if she asks me I shall sure tell 
her the truth. I guess Clara thinks I ought to 
asls him to our party tomorrow evening, but I don’t 
think 1 sliall, as I already have an even number of 
girls and boys invited, and if he were to come he 
would want to occupy all of Clara’s time, and L 
want Clara to meet my friends. No, I shall not 
mention party to him.” 

Frank didn’t make a long visit as it was getting 
late, and he had quite a distance to drive. 

As soon as he was out of hearing Clara said: 
“Nina, I’m so glad you didn’t invite Frank to the 
])arty, for I can see him any time when I’m at 
lioine and I am making this visit to you and your 
friends.” 

“Clara, I hardly knew what to do about inviting 
iMr- Gage, as I had not consulted you about the 
matter and T am so glad it is all right with you.” 

Nina talked away and tried to evade the ques- 
tion she excepted Clara to ask her any minute. 

Finally Clara said : “Let me talk awhile, Nina; 
I am very anxious to know your opinion of Frank 


NINA HILT. 


77 


Gage.- 

1 was very much in liopcs you would not ask 
me that question, Clara, for you know I will not 
tell you a falsehood and I hope you will not become 
offended at me.- 

o, X ina, I shall not get mad at you ; I will al- 
low you the privilege to say what you please this 
tinie.- 

^^Well, Clara, I mfust say I do not think he is one 
bit handsome, but you say he is good, and it cer- 
tainly is a good thing he has some fine quality to 
atone for that horrid, ugly face of his.- 

“^‘Oh, I would much rather he was good than 
handsome. - 

“Yes, Clara, I will admit that goodness is far 
superior to beauty if it comes from the heart and 
continues through life. But I have known some 
people who appeared to be extremely good until 
they got married and then an angel from heaven 
couldn’t live with them.- 

Clara replied : “I don’t believe Frank will 
cliange that way.” 

“I hope not, Clara, and I am not saying this to 
discourage you in the least, but 3W had better lis- 
ten to a friend’s advice and be sure you know 
Frank’s disposition before you marry him.” 

“Thank you, Xina, I will do my best to find him 
out, but you know this is something hard to do. 
J have always heard that marrying was like a leap 
in the dark, and you do not know where you are go- 
ing to light or what is going to happen to you until 
after you have made the leap.” 

Clara and Xina were very busy all day Tuesday 
decorating and preparing the house for the party. 
After this was done their attention was turned to 


78 


NINA HILT. 


dressing the table, which Mrs. Hilt pronounced 
eautiful when it was done. They then hastened 
to their rooms to adorn themselves in beautiful 
evening dresses of white organdy. 

When the party hour arrived guests came in 
from all directions and were received by the fair, 
hostess and her visitor with a joyous welcome. 

rVmong the first who came were Harry Willis 
and Harvey Simpson, two of Nina,^s best friends. 

The evening was spent in playing games and 
other amusements- At ten o’clock they w'ere in- 
vited to the dining room and were led by Harvey 
and Nina. Everyone acknowledged this to be the 
best feature of the evening. Too soon the hour 
came for them to take their departure for their 
respective homes. After expressing thanks to the 
hostess for the pleasures of the evening they bade 
her good-night. 

Harvey Simpson and Harry Willis w^ere the last 
to leave. Harvey paused at the door and asked if 
it would be agreeable for he and Harry Willis to 
accompany she and Clara to the ball the next 
evening. Nina very readily accepted. 

When Clara and Nina were in their room that 
night Clara told Nina that she liked all her friends 
very much, but that Harrv Willis was her faver- 
itc. 

^‘And I believe Harvey Simpson is in love with 
you Nina, judging from the way he acted tonight.” 

“Harvey Simpson in love with me, Clara, the 
very idea of such a thing. No, Clara, we are only 
good friends. Harvey is real nice to me and comes 
to see me quite often, but w^e wfill never be any- 
thing but friends. I don’t suppose he is in love 
with me, and T am sure T am not in love with 


NINA HILT. 


79 


, “Nina, you are a very peculiar girl; somehow 
' 1 can’t understand your disposition. You don’t 
seem to care any more for one of your gentlemen 
friends than you do another, and that is so diifer- 
ent from most girls. You surely have some reason 
for this. XoW, Xina, please tell me what it is-” 

‘h4s I know you to be a true friend of mine, 
Clara,' 1 will tell you. I made up my mind 
several years ago that I would not permit myself 
to fall in love with anyone, for it is now my in- 
tention to live a single life for quite a while, and 
perhaps as long as I live.” 

^^^Vhat makes you talk that way, Nina? Have 
you been disappointed in love?” 

^^Xo, the one I loved didn’t disappoint me, but 
father did.” 

‘^Oh, yes; Harry told me last evening about 
some missing letters which gave you a great deal 
of trouble, and he said he sympathized with you 
so much.” 

^^Yes, Clara, I think everybody at the village 
heard about these missing letters which I never re- 
ceived. Well, that was long ago. Let’s talk about 
tlie future. Harvey and Harry are coming to take 
us to the ball this evening.” 

Mr. Hilt came in and interrupted the conversa- 
tion by saying ^^I’ve a letter for you, Xina.” 

X ina took the letter, opened it quickly and said : 
^^Oh, Clara, how lucky we are. This is an invita- 
tion to a dance at Mrs. Cole’s Friday evening. I 
siiall accept the invitation at once.” 
f Xina wrote and thanked Co!o that I'lcv 

I would gladly accept the invitation, 
f Xina and Clara attended the ball at the village 


80 


NINA HILT. 


\\'cdiiesclay evening and danced until a late hour. 
Tlie next day Nina was scarcely able to leave her 
room. 

]ilrs- Hilt told Nina she thought she had been i 
iaiving too much exercise, and she thought it best ■ 
for her to remain at home a few days. 

Nina replied: ''Oh, mother, I would hate very 
much to miss Mrs. Cole’s dance. Perhaps I will be 
well enought to go by that time.” 

:\trs. Hilt feared not, as it was just two nights 
oif. 

Nina was but little better on the morning of 
Mrs. Cole’s ball. But Nina insisted that she was 
a!)le to «-o. She was persuaded by her mother to 
remain at home. 

Clara said she would also remain at home with 
'Nina as she, too, needed rest. 

So Nina sent Mrs. Cole the following regret: 

"My Dear ]\[rs. Cole — Words cannot express 
how very sorry I am that I am not well enough to 
attend your ball. My friend. Miss Winfrey, begs to 
be excused. 

"Your true friend, 

"Nixa.” 

Then Nina said: "Well, Clara, I suppose we 
will not have any company tonight as all the boys 
will go to the ball.” 

But she was mistaken, for when Harvey and 
Harry went to Mrs. Cole’s and found that Nina 
and rilara were not there they decided to spend the 
evening with the girls at Hilt Home. 

It is useless to say the girls were very much 
surprised to see them. 

Ndna was well again in a very few days, and all 
the girls and boys returned their party call* 


NINA HILT. 


81 


Wlien Clara’s visit was out she told jS'ina she 
thought the village was an ideal place to live, and 
that she was not surprised at Nina not wanting to 
inarr}^, for she had such a good time, and she also 
declared this had been the most enjovable visit of 
lier life. 

The next week after Clara left Hilt Home, Nina 
went to visit Mrs. Boyd a few days in the village. 
She found Mrs. Boyd in very poor health. 

^Irs. Boyd said she was very much afraid she 
liad consumption, which proved to be true. Nina 
spent a great deal of her time with Mrs. Boyd dur- 
ing her illness. On one occasion Nina had re- 
mained away from Mrs. Boyd longer than usual, 
during which time Mrs. Boyd rapidly grew worse 
and Dr. Boyd became very much alarmed about 
lier condition. One day he sent for Nina, to comt* 
immediately. 

Doctor Boyd told Nina when she arrived that his 
wife could not live long and that he wanted her to 
remain at his wife’s bedside until the last, as Mrs. 
Boyd was so very fond of her, which, of coursio 
Nina did. 

Dr. Boyd had also sent for Guy, but Nina didn’t 
know this until Guy walked in. 

This was the first time she had seen Guy since 
they had bade each other a happy farewell on thai 
New Year’s day. 

When Nina saw Guy she thought, what a great 
difference there was in their last parting and this 
meeting- When they parted they were so vvw 
happ}'’ and now they meet around his mother's 
deathbed. Then Nina thought of where she v is 
and how much she hated to see Mrs. Boyd die; and 
oh, how sorry she felt for her now mother! a ^s 


NINA AILT. 


82 


children. 

Nina remained at Dr. Boyd’s nntil alter the 
funeral. She then returned home, feeling she had 
lest a very dear friend, who had been almost as a 
mother to her. 


CHAPTEE XIV. 


CLARA S WEDDING. 

Nina had a letter from Clara stating that she 
and Frank Gage were soon going to be married, 
and asked Nina to come to the city of H at 


once as she wanted Nina, to be her bridesmaid. 

Nina began to make her arrangements to go, 
but before she was ready to start she had another 
letter from Clara telling her not to come, that she 
had changed her notion about the place \yihere she 
was to get married, and said she was coming to see 
Nina and tell her all about her arrangements. 

Nina thought this rather a strange way to do, 
and worried about it considerably. 

But soon Clara came and informed Nina that 
she decided to marry at Hilt Home in remem- 
brance of that pleasant visit there just one year 
ago. 

Nina said: ^kHl right, Clara: I will be very 
glad to have you marry here. When are going 
to marry ?” 

^^Next Wednesday; just one week from today. 
Frank and I have decided to have a quiet wedding, 
and we want you and George Wilkins to stand up 
with us. And as soon as we are married we are‘ ! 
going to a reception at his father’s, and, of course, ] 
you and George are expected to go with us.” - 

^^That’s real nice, Clara, for George Wilkins is j 
and old schoolmate of mine and I always liked him f 


NINA HILT. 


83 


fine.” 

‘‘1 am real glad of this, Xina, for of course he 
\vill be pleasant company for you.” 

Frank Gage and George Wilkins called at Hilt 
Home the day before the wedding and all arrange- 
ments were made for the engagement the following 
afternoon at 2 o’clock sliarp- 

On the morning of Clara’s wedding Xina said: 
*'T)lara, 1 do wish 3^ou were not going to marry; 1 
shall be so lonesome without you, and somehow 
1 can’t help but feel blue about it.” 

‘^^Oh, you won’t miss me long, Nina, for I 
guess you and Harvey Simpson will be marrying 
before long.” 

^‘Oh, 1 told you once before, Clara, that I would 
never marry Plarvey ; that we were only friends.” 

You must be very dear friends judging from 
I ue number of times he comes to see you.” 

^^Oh, he has a nice horse and bugg}^, and you 
kno\/ I enjoy that.” 

I’romptly at 2 o’clock Nina and Clara were 
dressed for the wedding, and a few intimate friends 
were gathered in the parlor, but the groom-to-be 
bad not yet arrived. 

Clara kept watching the clock until it struck 
three. Then her face grew pale and she said to 
Nina: wonder what can be the matter with 

Frank ? It is now 3 o’clock and he ought to have 
been here an hour ago.” 

Nina replied: “Be patient, Clara; they will 
surely be here in a short while, for people rarely 
ever marry on time, you know.” 

Clara listened at Nina, then begun walking the 
floor. The clock struck four and yet he hadn’t 
come. 


84 VNIN HILT. 

Clara looked out and saw her friends and the 
minister had left the house and gone out on the 
lawn to see if they could see anything of the groom- 
to-be. She then grew desperate and said : "‘What 
fc^hall 1 do, Nina ? Oh, just look ; even the preacher 
is out looking for Frank.” 

When the cloek struck five she tore the beautiful 
flowers from her bosom and said, will not marry 
Frank Gage if he should come.” 

Nina said: '‘You don’t talk with any reason 
at all, Clara,, I am sure something has happened 
to Frank or he would have been here on time. 
Xow you sit down and be quiet; I am sure he will 
come "or send some one in a short while to let you 
know what has happened.” 

“No, he isn’t coming at all, and I don’t believe 
he ever intended to come. 1 just don’t believe I 
can stand to face the sneers of the outside world,” 
replied Nina. 

Nina had gotten somewhat nervous by this time 
herself, but tried to appear composed on Clara’s 
account. She walked to the front window and saw 
Frank and George at the lawn gate- Oh, there they 
are now; I believed they would come. Now, Clara, 
cheer up and look your best when they come in.” 

“No, I will not, for I am mad at Frank and will 
be until I have had a thorough explanation from 
him why he has been delayed.” 

“Now, Clara, please don’t quarrel with him.” 

When Frank and George entered the room neith- 
er Frank or Clara spoke to each other. 

Nina said: “What has been the trouble and 
why are you so late?” 

Frank said something about George’s buggy 
getting broken, and that they had to stop at the 


NINA HILT. 


85 


e^liop and have it repaired. 

Clara acted so ver}^ indifferent that it made 
Frank mad and he almost wished he had not 
come at all. 

They were all silent for some time. Then Nina 
said : ^‘Are we going to have a wedding here to- 
day ? If so, it is time we were going in the parlor, 
for the guests have been waiting four hours, and 
I am sure they must be getting tired. Come on, 
Clara, you and Frank, I am getting anxious to 
walk out on the floor if I am not going to get 
married myself. When Sarah married I thought 
1 would be the next one to marry at Hilt Home, 
hut you see I am not, for Clara is going to be 
the next one.’^ 

Then Frank offered his arm to Clara and tlie 
wedding proceeded. 

After the wedding ceremony was over both 
couples started on their way to the reception. 
When they had driven a few miles, Nina said: 
^‘Well, George, I never experienced a wedding like 
this before, and I hope I never shall again. Just 
think, they stood up and made those solemn vows 
in the presence of God and man, to love and 
cherish each other as long as they both should 
live, and at the same time they were so mad they 
wouldnT. speak to each other. Did you ever hear 
of such a circumlstance as this before?’’ 

^‘^No', I never did before, Nina. We could have 
gotten there on time, but at two o’clock Frank 
was almost out of the notion of going at all, but 
I told him that would never do, and by the hardest 
talking I got him to consent to go.” 

Nina said: “Well, I thought that tale about 
your bugg}^ being broken was too thin, for I am 


86 


NINA HILT. 


sure it would have been an easy inattex fur you 
to have gotten another buggy. Well, I hope they 
will live happily together. I have often heard it 
said, ‘A bad beginning makes a good ending,' and 
if this be true they will sure be happy when they 
are old-" 


CHAPTEE XV. 

NINA AT Johnson's bedside. 

After Xina returned from the Gage reception, 
she said to her mother, with tears in her eyes: 
^‘Mother, I pity Clara." 

^AVhy so, Xina?" 

‘G fear Frank doesn’t love her as he should." 

“I can’t see why you should think that of 
Frank." 

‘AVell, George said he had to persuade Frank 
for hours before he could get him to come at all. 
I would rather live jingle all my life than to marry 
a man who had to be persuaded to marry me, or 
one whom I had to be persuaded to marry." 

^AVell, I guess that’s the reason you did not 
marry Tom Ware." 

^T)on’t mention Tom Ware. I had almost for- 
gotten he was in existence." 

^^Xina, your father is very much wwried about 
you." 

‘‘Why is he worried about me, mother ?’’ 

“Well, you know how much father dislikes old 
maids, and he has fears that you are going to be 
one." 

“I’m sure I would much perfer being an old 
maid than to be married to someone who wasn’t 
worthy of me." 

“Xina, T had forgotten to tell you we heard 


NINA HiLT. 87 

some bad news from your brother Johnson while 
YOU were gone.” 

“What can it be, mother?” 

“He had a very painful accident somehow. I 
do not know the particulars about it. But he is 
confined to his room, and he wants you to come and 
stay a while with him.” 

Johnson was married and living at Mayfield. 

“Oh, I wish I knew how it all happened,” said 
Xina; “I do hope brother is not seriously hurt. 
I will pack my trunk and start immediately, and 
will do all 1 can for brother. Xow, mother, you 
said father didn’t want me to be an old maid. 
Just suppose I was married now, who would 
brother have to come and help nurse him. I think 
that is the proper thing for me to do — just be 
an old maid and help my brothers and sisters 
when they are in trouble.” 

Xina’s trunk was soon packed, and she took the 
next train for Mayfield. 

When she got there she found Johnson fast in 
bed, and suffering intensely. 

When he saw her great tears rolled down his 
cheeks and then he laughed for joy. 

Xina sat by his bedside and told him all she 
knew about home and the village, which was very 
dear to him. 

After Xina had been there a few days Johnson 
said: “Xina, I think your visit is helping me, 
and I shall soon be able to sit up some.” 

This was good news to Xina, for she was afraid, 
when she first saw him that he would never be 
well again, and it made her rcjoico to see lier 
brother improving so rapidly. 

After Xina left home Mrs. Hilt told her hus- 


S8 NINA HILT. 

band what Xiiia had said about her being an old 
maid. 

'Mr. Hilt replied: “Yes, I am sure that is her 
intention now, and it seems strange to me why 
she does not fall in love with some of these vil- ; 
lage boys who come to see her so frequently.” 

Mrs. Hilt responded: “I know Nina doesn’t 
care anything for these village boys, but perhaps 
she may find some one whom she likes while on 
this visit.” 

“Oh, no, I am satisfied she won’t, for she never 
has seemed to care for anyone since that engage- 
ment was broken, and I don’t censure anyone but ' 
myself for it.” 

Johnson was soon able to be up and Nina spent 
four weeks very pleasantly with him,; then re- 
turned home by the way of Paducah, wdiere she 
stopped with some friends for a few days. 

CHAPTER XVI. 
nina's profession of religion. 

After Nina had gotten home and related the 
details of her visit to Johnson, her father said: 
“Well, Nina., you came home just at the right 
time, for there is a protracted meeting in progress 
at the village church, and numbers of souls are 
being saved.” 

Nina was not yet a Christian, and Mr. Hilt 
was very anxious about her salvation. Nina had 
often wished very much to be a Christian, but she 
could not give her consent to give up dancing. 
She frequently said that she couldn’t see that 
there was any harm in dancing. But on this oc- 
casion, when her father told her about the meet- 
ing, somehow she was impressed very forcibly that 


NINA IlILT. 


89 


she ought to be a Christian, and it was now time 
for her to begin to honor (loci. She had always 
attended church when it was convenient, but she 
liked the ball room better, and her father was 
aware of this last sad fact. 

After she had attended this meeting several- 
evenings, her heart grew heavy and she longed for 
something higher than the ball room. She tried 
to wear the feeling oft, but could not. 

One evening when she and Harvey Simpson 
u'ere on their way to church, she said : ‘^Harvey, 
let^s not sit up near the front tonight; if we do 
some one will sure try to get me to go to the 
m ou mers’ bench.” 

Harvey replied : ^^All right ; we will sit where- 
ever you wish.” 

Xina suggested that they take a back seat. 

Harve}^ noticed that Nina paid very strict at- 
tention to the sermon that evening, and when the 
minister had closed his sermon and he invited 
penitants to the altar, Nina didn’t wait for the 
second invitation, but went at once, and there she 
promised God to give up dancing and all of her 
sins if He would only relieve her of this miserable 
feeling, and God converted her soul right then 
and there. This was the happiest period of her 
life. She then joined the Baptist church and was 
baptized. 

A short while after tin's she was invited to 
anothed dance, but she said: ^‘No, I will not go, 
for I have given up the ball room forever, and 1 
am going to live for God.” 


90 


NINA HILT. 


CHAPTER XVIT. 

ROBEBT JONES 

One year from this time Xina was sitting on 
the front veranda at her home. She looked at 
the lawn gate and saw an aged gentleman drive 
np and stop. At first glance Xina recognized him 
to be Robert Jones. Her heart leaped to her 
throat and she went quickly into her mother’s room 
and said: “Mother, Mr. Robert Jones has come, 
(lo quick ; he is at the door. I will not go where 
he is.” 

^Irs. Hilt invited Mr. Jones into the parlor, and 
after they had had a short conversation Mr. J ones 
picked up the album and began looking at the 
pictures. After he had turned a few leaves he 
said: “Oh, this is a new picture of Xina; I think 
it is real good of her.” 

llrs. Hilt said : “Yes, 1 think it is a very good 
picture.” 

“Is Xina at home? I would like very much to 
see her.” 

“Yes Xina is at home, and I will go and send 
her into the parlor.” 

'When Mrs. Hilt went to Xina’s room and told 
her that ]Mr. Jones had asked to see her, Xina re- 
plied : “Mother, I don’t want to see him at all.” 

But her mother insisted that she would come in 
a short while, but she could not prevail upon her 
to go in. 

After Mrs. Hilt returned to the parlor, Xina 
reflected to herself thus: “It really looks silly 
for me to act in this manner. I am sure it will 
not hurt me to treat Mr. Jones with politeness. I 
will go in and see him for a short while.” 

So, after arranging her toilet, she went in to 


NINA HILT. 


91 


see ^li*. Jones. 

He seemed highly pleased to see her, and he was 
in vei'}' high spirits. 

Xina sat and listened to his jokes and jolly con- 
versation with amazement. She had often seen 
him, but this was the first time she had even been 
in his company. 

When he arose to go, he said: will bid you 

all good bye.” 

]\Irs. Hilt said: ‘^Good bye, Mr. Jones; come 
to see us again.” 

‘^^Thank you,” replied Mr. Jones; will, if 
Xina is willing.” 

‘^Certainl}', we will be glad to see you, Mr. 
Jones,” answered Xina. 

After he had gone, Xina laughed at the idea 
of that old, gray headed man coming to see her. 
She said: ‘‘Mother, he is as jolly as a sixteen- 
year-old boy. I like to hear him talk very much, 
1)ut that is all. He said he was coming back. I 
wonder if he thinks there is any probability of 
my marrying him when he is so old and I am so 
young. If he does he certainly is mistaken. AVell, 
1 suppose this will be the last of him for another 
two years. Do you remember, mother, it has just 
))eon two years since he came to see me the first 
time. Poor old man, I wonder why he waited un- 
til he was ready to die before he started out to get 
married. He has lots of nione}*, Pve heard, and 
it would be real nice if some girl would marry him 
and get to enjo}^ that money; but I am sure 1 
never will.” 

“Wh 3 % Xina, are you not ashamed to talk about 
Mr. Jones in that manner. He is quite a nice old 
gentleman, and is one of your father’s best friends. 


92 


NINA HILT. 


1 have often hear<l yonr father say that Mr, Jones 
had \he biggest heart of any man he kneAV of, and 
that he was the poor man’s friend, for he never 
knew ^[r. dones to refuse to help anyone who was 
in trouble.’^ 

^‘Mother, 1 didn’t mean any harm; I was only 
having a little fun.” 

“Yes, Nina, at ^Ir. Jones’ expense.” 

]\ir. Jones went home thinking he had found 
the right girl at last, and he decided that he would 
soon be found at Hilt Home again. 

Harvey Simpson still continues his regular vis- 
its to Nina. So when he came the next time after 
lh\ Jones’ visit, Xina had quite a good deal of 
fun telling him about her rich old bachelor beau. 

Harvey didn’t seem to enjoy this as much as 
Xina had expected, and Xina soon changed the 
subject, as she didn’t care to talk about anything 
that wasn’t pleasant to Harvey. 

In a very few days we again find Mr. Jones at 
Hilt Home. This time he took Xina for a long 
drive behind a quick-stepping steed. 

Xina told Mr. Jones his horse traveled beauti- 
fully, and that she had enjoyed the drive very 
much. 

Mr. Jones was very much encouraged, and 
thought he was progressing nicely, and he con- 
tinued his visits regularly once a week. 

Xina thought it quite romantic to have a beau 
so much her senior, and she liked him much bet- 
ter now than she ever thought she would and she 
began to think very seriously of his visits, as he 
had told her how he fell in love with her in the ball 
room two and a half years ago, and also said his 
love for her had been increasing ever since he 


NINA HILT. 


93 


knew her. 

Nina thought she would consult her father be- 
fore she went too far this time, and one morning 
at tlie breakfast table, Xina said: ^^Father, what 
do yo uthink of Mr. Jones visiting me?” 

^^That’s all right, Xina,” said Mr. Hilt, ^‘there 
never was a more perfect gentleman than Mr. 
Jones.” 

‘‘lint, father, he is so much older than I am. 
What of that?” 

“Oh, thaFs all right. I have known lots of 
young girls to marry old men who had money.” 

“^toney, father ; money wouldn^t be any induce- 
ment for me to many a man, old or young, un- 
less 1 knew I loved him.” 

The next time Mr. Jones came, he said : “Xina, 
I came to talk business to you this time. I know 
1 am a great deal your senior, and some would 
think it was perfectly absurd for us to marry, but 
1 can't see it that way. I have lived a long and 
lonesome life, and T have decided that I will spend 
the last part of my life quite differently if 3^011 
will only consent to marry an old Tach’ like me. 
1 will do all in my power to make you happy. I 
am sure I cannot live long, and if I should die 
first I would leave you all I have in this world, 
and you would be independent. Xow, Xina, can 
1 ever hope that you will be my wife?” 

X^ina was in a tremble, and her head felt dizzy, 
and as soon as she was more composed, she said: 
“^Ir. Jones, it seems to me as though there is too 
much difference in our ages for us to live a very 
congenial life.” 

“I have no fear of our happiness, whatever,” 
replied Mr. Jones, “and I am sure I am willing 


NINA HILT. 


94 

to risk it.” 

Nina answered: “This is very nnexpected to 
me, and I will have to ask time to consider this 
matter.” 

“All right, iSiina; how long do you want?” 

“I can’t say how long 1 want.” 

“Well, I suppose yon will be ready to give me 
my answer by the next time I come, will yon not?” 

“I suppose I will; that is, if yon don’t come 
back too soon ?” 

“Well, 1 will be back in one week,” answered j 
Mr. Jones. 

After he had gone ISiina went to her room and: 
sat there quite a while with her head bowed and' 
both hands pressing her temples as she thought, 
Ob, can I marr^" this man? Would it be right,' 
and do I love him? She battled with her con- 
science for some time in this manner. Then she 
decided to retire for the night, thinking perhaps 
she would get a good night’s rest and be better; 
in the morning. She slept very little that night, 
and the next morning she had a burning fever 
and was not able to leave her room. 

When Nina failed to make her appearance at 
breakfast the next morning, her father said: “T 
wonder what is the matter with Nina this morn- 
ing. It is very unusual for her to be late to break- 
fast ; she certainly is sleeping very soundly or she 
would have heard the bell. Mrs. Hilt, suppose 
you go to her room and see what ails her. Per- 
haps she is sick.” 

Mrs. Hilt replied: “Oh, I don’t suppose she 
is sick; she seemed perfectly well yesterday.” 

When Mrs. Hilt entered her room and saw her 
flushed face, she said: “Nina., what is the mattei 


NINA HILT. 


95 


with you? How long have you been sick?’’ 

“All night, mother; I have slept scarcely any.” 

“Why did you not call me ? I would have come 
to you at once had I known you were so very 
sick ?” 

“1 didn’t want to disturb you, mother, and I 
thought I would soon be better. Don’t worry 
about me, mother.” 

“I will leave you now, and you try to go to 
sleep.” 

Mrs. Hilt felt very anxious about Nina’s condi- 
tion. She said she feared she was going to have a 
long spell of sickness. 

Almost a week passed and Nina was no better. 

! Mrs. Hilt said to her husband: “Something 
seems to be w^orrying Nina. I w^onder what it can 
be ? I wish she would tell me, but I will not ask 
her for fear it will excite her and her fever will 
igrow worse.” 

Mr. Hilt saw Mr. Jones in the city of C 

and told him Nina was very ill. 

Mr. Jones said he was very sorry to hear that 
bad news and said he 'would call to see her the 
next morning. 

That evening when Mr. Hilt returned home 
lie told his wife of Mr. Jones’ intended visit and 
isaid he thought it best not to tell Nina before he 
came. 

Nina’s fever 'vv^as not as high the next morning 
as it bad been and the symptoms for her recovery 
were good. 

At nine o’clock Mr. Jones was wending his 
way through the lawn at Hilt Home. He was 
met at the door by Mr. Hilt. Mr. Jones asked if 
iNina’s condition was any better today. 


96 


NINA HILT. 


Mr. Hilt said that Xina was some better and 
he would go at once and tell her Mr. Jones had 
come and wanted to see her. | 

He wondered if Nina, would permit him to see | 
her. 

When Mr. Hilt told Nina Mr. Jones wished to 
see her, she said : 'h\ll right, father, he can come 
in if he wishes, but 1 don’t feel like talking to 
any one today.” 

^^Mr. Jones is aware of that fact,” answ^ered ^Ir. 
Hilt, ''and he is not expecting you to talk to him 
very much.” 

Mr. Jones made a very short visit to Nina’s 
room as he feared his presence would do more 
harm than good. 

When he arose to leave, he said: "Nina, I am 
glad to find you are getting on so nicely, and I 
hope to find you well when 1 come again.” 

Nina thanked him. Then their last conver- 
sation arose fresh before her. Then she thought 
to herself, "1 will try not to think of this any more 
until I am better.” 

She improved nicely, and was soon able to sit 
up. And again she began to consider this very 
important matter, and it seemed to her that she 
couldn’t make up her mind as to what would be 
best for her to do. She knew Mr. Jones was liable 
to come at any time. While she was meditating 
in this way her friend, Dora Eeeves, came to see 
her. 

When Dora saw how pale and thin Nina looked 
she told Nina she thought a change would help 
her, and said she would be glad to have Nina come 
and spend a week or two with her. 

It struck Nina yery forcibly that this was the 


NINA HILT. 


97 


riglit thing for her to do, as she remembered that 
i.)ora had assisted her when she was in trouble once 
before, and thought possibly she would be of some 
assistance to her now. She consented to go, but 
said it wouldn’t be convenient for her to go until 
the following day. 

Dora said that would be all right, and she 
said she would come for her the next morning. 

The next morning, according to promise, Dora 
came, and Xina left home without leaving any 
W(./d at all for ilr. Jones. 

Very soon after they had gotten out of sight of 
Uilt Home, Mr. Jones came. He was very much 
surprised, as well as disappointed, that Xina was 
not at home. 

^Irs. Hilt informed him that she didn’t think 
Xina would be gone but a very few days. 

Xina was surprised when, after they had gotten 
home and she was somewhat rested from the fa- 
tigue of her journey, Dora said: “X^ina, I have 
heard that old Mr. Eiobert Jones has been visiting 
you?” 

“Yes, he has,” replied Xina. 

“Pshaw ! the very- idea of that old man going to 
see a girl so young as you are. I hope you have 
better sense than to think of marrying him.” 

“I don’t know what I will do, Dora; 1 am un- 
decided. I rather think I will not marry him, but 
if 1 should decide to marry Mr. Jones I am sure 
it would be no disgrace, for there are lots of young 
girls who marry^ old men; and remember, you 
would have manded one yourself had he not died 
just before the day vset for the wedding, and he 
was an old widower with a grown child. Mr. J ones 
is an old bachelor and he says I am the first girl 


98 NINA HILT. 

ho ever really loved.” . , 

“Yon misconstrued what 1 said, Nina. I didn t 
mean that you would be disgraced if you should 
marry Mr. Jones, for I know he is all right in 
every respect, hut 1 think it would be so much 
wiser for you to marry Harvey, for he is a great 
deal nearer your age, and then, it would be so nice 
for you to live so near me. J can’t bear the idea 
of your maiTving some one who will take you out 
of this neighborhood.” 

“1 am sure the Jones home isn’t very far from 
here,” replied Nina. 

“Nina, are you really going back on Harvey 
Simpson ?” 

“Oil, no; Harvey and I are still good friends, 
and he still makes his regular visits to see me. 
But I am sure I could never love Harvey Simpson 
well enough to marry him, and there is no use for 
me to try.” 

“I think you could if you would only allow your- 
self to, Nina. I sent a servant to Harvey’s home 
last night to tell him you were coming today to 
spend two weeks with me, and Harvey said he 
woidd call tonight at eight. Now, Nina., you are 
looking so tired, I know you must still be fatigued 
from your drive. Suppose you go to your room 
and lie down and rest; then you will feel more 
like entertaining Harvey tonight.” 

Nina, was glad to hear Dora Suggest this, for she 
v/as anxious to spend a short while alone to try 
to decide what answer she should give Mr. Jones 
when she saw him. Then she thought, “What if 
he should come while I am away from home. Well, 
I guess that’s the best way to get rid of him, for 
1 don’t believe I love him well enough to marry 


NINA HILT, 


99 


liim anyway.” 

Xina got up and went to Dora’s room and said: 
^^Dora, if Harvey comes this evening, don't say 
an\'thing about Mr. Jones in his presenc-o, for .[ 
said som,ething about Mr. Jones having been to 
see me one day and Harvey didn’t seem to like 
it at all.” 

promise, Xina, but 1 really think lie ought 
to know how often Mr. Jones visits you, and 1 
really believe you are liking him, or you would not 
lot him come so frequently.” 

“Yes, I will admit that 1 like him, but T can’t 
say that I love him very much.” 

“Well, then, 1 hope you are not going to marry 
him. I have often heard you say you would never 
marry a man unless you loved him.” 

“Yes, I have said it, and I still say so.” 

Harvey made his visits quite often while Xina 
was visiting Dora, and Dora did and said every- 
thing she could in his favor. 

On several oc^casions A^ina told Dora that she 
felt she ought to return home, but Dora insisted 
on her remaining longer. 

At last, when she had been there two weeks, she 
said to Dora: “I positively will go home today, 
and must go at once.” 

When she got home, Mrs. Hilt said: “Xina, 
you came too late; Mr. Jones has just gone. He 
lias been here three times since you have been 
gone, and he said today he didn’t know that he 
would come again, but he might possibly come one 
more time, and if he should fail to find you at 
home he would never return again.” 

X"ina listened to what her mother had to say 
and asked, “Why did you not send him for me, 


LofC. 


100 


NINA HILT. 


Hiother? I would have been glad to have returned 
home with him.*’ 

“1 didn’t know that you wished to come home.” 

Nina liad a very peculiar feeling somehow, and 
she just now realized that she loved Mr. Jones. 

She said : ‘^Mother, when do you suppose he 
will be back ? Did he say when ?” 

“No, he didn’t say for sure he was coming back 
at all.” 

Nina could see now how badly she had treated 
^!r. Jones, and she v/ished very much that he 
would come at least once more so that she might 
make an apology for leaving home as she did 
and staying so long. 

“Ami you say he came three times, mother?” 

“Yes, he came the day you left, and I told him 
you would only be gone a few days, and after this 
lie made two more visits.” 

Nina said: “Well, he certainly loves me or he 
wouldn’t have come so many times. I didn’t in- 
tend staying but a few days when I left home, but 
Dora insisted so much that I stay, that is why J 
stayed so long. 1 can see now why she wanted nu' 
lo remain. It is strange why I couldn’t see it 
then. She doesn’t want Mr. Jones to visit me, 
mother.” 

“Why does she not, Nina?” 

“She told me she wanted me to marry Harvey, 
and you know I will never do that.” 

“I always thought Dora was a very peculiar 
girl ; she is always meddling with other people’s 
business.” 

Nina thought every morning, “Well, perhaps 
IMr. Jones will come today,” until a week had al- 
most passed. 


NINA HILT. 


101 


And when she was thinking he would never 
come again, she looked at the front lawn gate and 
there she saw Mr. Jones coming. 

Cold chills ran up and doAvm her back and she 
thought what a strange world this is. “Well, I 
suppose that God intends that I shall marry Mr. 
J ones.” 

She met him at the door with a bright smile on 
her face. 

As soon as Mr. Jones saw her smiling counte- 
nance he knew that all was well between them. He 
took her by the hand and said: “Nina, I claim 
you as my own.” 

She bowed her head in assent. 

Mr. Jones told Nina he didn’t believe in long 
engagements, and said he was ready to marry at 
any time, and that he would speak to her father, 
and if he was willing and it was agreeable with her 
they would be married very soon. 

She agreed to this, and soon began to make 
preparations for the wedding. 

Both she and Mr. Jones determined that this 
sliould be kept a profound secret outside of the 
family until their wedding day. 

When Mr. Jones went home he ordered his 
servants to make a general house cleaning, and for 
them to make his house look nicer than it ever did 
before, for he was going to get married and bring 
a mistress to his home. 

The servants thought Mr. Jones was only jok- 
ing, but went ahead and obeyed his order. 

Just one week before the wedding Mr. Jones 
was at Hilt Home, and Nina said: “Mr. Jones, 
Harvey is coming to take me to church tonight. 

I suppose you don’t object.” 


102 


NINA HILT. 


“Xo, I do not object to your going with Harvey, 
but you know you are not very well yet and going 
out in the night air might possibly make you sick 
again.” 

Xina said she was accustomed to going to 
church in the evening and she did not think it 
would hurt her. And she didn’t want to disap- 
point Harvey, as this would be the last time he 
would ever accompany Xina Hilt to church. 

When Harvey came that evening Xina felt that 
she ought to tell him of her approaching wedding, 
but she remembered her promise to keep it a secret, 
and so she did not tell him. 

Little did Harvey think that this would be the 
last time he and Xina would travel that dear old 
road to the village church together. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 
nixa's wedding. 

The next time Air. Jones came he told Xina that 
he had failed to tell her that two of his old serv- 
ants, who had belonged to him in slave time, were 
living in the back yard. Their names were Polly 
and Ann. He said Polly had been partially crazy 
ever since the slaves were freed, and Ann wasn’t 
very far behind her in this respect, and as they 
had been good servants he did not like to see them 
sent to the asylum or poorhouse, where they would 
possibly be mistreated, and he had made arrange- 
ments with the court to keep them for a certain 
amount of money per year. Mr. Jones told Xina 
that after they were married she could send the 
negroes to the asylum, poorhouse, or anywhere she 
wished if she did not want to keep them. 

Xina said she would decide this matter after she 


NINA HiLT. 


103 


: them. 

She walked with him down to the front lawn 
! gate as he was leaving, and Tom Ware was passing 
by. 

Mr. Jones had a touch of rheumatism that day 
and was walking with a cane. When Tom saw Mr. 
Jones with his cane he hallooed and said: “Old 
man, you will have to throw that stick away if you 
want to go with that girl.” 

“Why didiTt you tell him you could beat his 
time and walk with two sticks,” said Nina. 

This was the first time she had seen Tom since 
Ihe day she had refused to see him at all. 

I A few days before the wedding Mr. Hilt rode 
I over to Sarah’s to tell her of Nina’s approaching 
I wedding. He said : “Of course you and Will will 
i be present.” 

I Sarah said she could not say for sure whether 
they would be or not, but supposed they would. 

When Will came home that evening, Sarah told 
him that Nina was going to marry old Mr. Jones, 
and that she thought it was a shame for a young 
girl like Nina to marry such an old man, it made 
no difference how much money Ife had. 

Mull said: “I do, too, Sarah; and just wait 
till tomorrow and I will go and see if this match 
can’t be stopped.” 

“I hope you can break it up,” replied Sarah, 
for T can’t see what father is thinl^ing about by 
letting Nina marry him, unless it is because he 
I has money. You know father has always said 
Nina should never marry a poor man. That is 
why he would never let her marry Guy. I think 
dt would have been much ‘better to have let her 
j marry Guy than old Mr. Jones, for he will soon 


104 


NINA AILT. 


die and leave her a widow; and. how will she 
look going around with a long face and wearing ' 
a long veil, as young as she is. She wouldn’t look 
like our Jolly Xina at all. Oh, I can’t stand the 
idea. Will.” 

Early the next morning Will was on his way-, 
to try to break up the match. When he got there 
he told Nina that he and everybody else thought it 
was perfectly ridiculous for her to marr}" that old, 
gray headed man, and that she would be per- 
fectly miserable after she had married him. 

^*Will, you and Sarah may think so, but no one 
outside of our family knows anything about our , 
Avedding unless you have told them. I am very'- 
sorry to have to disappoint you and Sarah, but I 
surely will fulfill my promise to Mr. Jones if I 
live through next Ttiesday.” 

After Will had said all he could to discourage 
Nina, he left Hilt Home, feeling that his visit 
was of no consequence. 

A flood of tears rolled down Nina’s cheek when 
she was alone. 

When Mr. Hilt came in he saw that Nina had ' 
been crying. He said: ^'Daughter, what is thi 
trouble noAv?” 

She told him of^ Will’s visit and all Will had 
said to her. 

‘d don’t know what Will means by this,” re- 
plied Mr. Hilt, "'for he knows there never was a 
nicer man than Eobert Jones. Cheer up, Nina, 
and do not pay any attention to Will’s foolish- 
ness.” 

When Will got home Sarah rushed out to meet 
him, and could tell by his looks he had made a V 
failure. ;; 


NINA HILT. 


105 

He told her she had just as well make up her 
mind to go to the wedding, for without a doubt it 
is going to take place. 

“Weil, if 1 should go I will tell Nina just what 
I think of this match.” 

Nina sent out a number of invitations to her 
friends to be present at Hilt Home at three o’clock 
November the twelfth, but didn’t state what was 
going to take place. 

On the morning of the wedding Mr. Jones told 
Jack, his favorite servant, that he was going to 
get married that day, and told Jack to go to Hilt 
Home and get Nina’s trunk. 

Jack said: “Mars Robert, you don’t tell me 
youse gwdne to git married. Well, I declar’, I’m 
s'prised at you. What is yore lady’s name?” 

Mr. Jones told him. 

Then Jack laughed outright, and said: “I jest 
wants to see dat lady ; sho nuf I do.” 

Jack hitched up the wagon and went on his 
way. When he got to the village he stopped to 
warm; and the village boys, not knowing where 
Jack was going, thought it would be funny to 
make Jack drunk and have some fun out of him; 
as Jack always said so many funny things when 
he was drunk. 

So they asked Jack if he wouldn’t have a drink 
this cool morning. 

Jack said: “Yes, sir; f never ’fuses liquor.” 
So he kept on drinking until he was drunk. 

The bo 3 ^s kept him there dancing and telling 
funny jokes to them till near the wedding hour. 

When Jack happened to think where he had 
started he went out at once and got into his 
wagon, drove slowly to Hilt Home and got Nina’s 


106 


NINA AILT. 


trunk and put it in the wagon. Tlien he got in, 
took his seat and said : ^‘I’se goin’ to wait hil this 
weddiirs over before I starts.” 

Jack soon went fast asleep. 

At the appointed hour the wedding guests came, 
Dora being among the number. Each one wonder- 
ed wliat was going to happen, and wondered if 
she was going to marry, which it would be, Harvey 
or Mr. Jones. But their minds were soon re- 
lieved, when Mr. Jones, with the preacher and 
several of liis friends from C , arrived. 

Just before Mr. Jones entered the room where 
Aina awaited him, Sarah and Will came. 

Sarali rushed in and said : “Xina, I never 
would liave thouglit tliis of you.” 

Aina looked straight into Sarah’s face and said : 
^^You know I don’t want to hear anything of this 
kind. How do you like my wedding go^\'n, and 
how do I look, anyway ?” 

guess your gown is all right, but I have seen 
you look prettier lots of times.” 

Then Mr. Jones entered, and he and Xina 
walked slowly to the parlor, where they were 
made one. 

Then Xina bade lier father, mother and dear 
old home good bye and all the wedding party 
went out to the gate, where a dozen or more 
vehicles were waiting to take them to the groom’s 
liome. 

As they drew near the gate Jack woke up and 
looked at them with his great white eyes for a 
minute. Tlien he gathered up liis lines and start- 
ed out just in front of the bride and groom and 
the wliole wedding party, wlio were going to a 
grand reception to be given at the Jones home. 


NINA HILT. 


107 


When ^Ir. Jones said: ^‘Get out of the road 
and let us pass,” Jack replied, “No, Mars Robert, 
I’se goin’ to lead dis here procession.” 

'Then Mr. Jones said: “Clear the road. Jack; 
clear the road.” 

Jack very reluctantly pulled aside and let the 
party pass, and they were soon out of Jack’s 
sight. 

When Jack got to the village he took the wrong 
road and he had gone (juite a distance before he 
found out his mistake. 

He was now getting sober, and he remembered 
that Mr. Jones told him to get back by noon, so he 
turned around and went home at a lively gait. 

When he got in sight of home he saw Mr. J ones, 
Nina and several of their guests at the gate look- 
ing for him, and wondering why Jack was so 
late. 

Jack drove up, took his hat off, and waved it to 
tlie crowd and said : “T.adies and gentlemen, I’se 
happy now since l\Iars Robert done gone and got 
married. Now, Mars Robert, which one of these 
here ladies is your wife?” 

Mr. Jones took Nina by the arm and said: 
“This one. Jack. Now, what do you think of your 
^ Miss’ Nina?” 

Jack walked in front of Nina and made three 
low bows. “She’s all right, dat’s what she is, 
^lars Robert,” replied Jack, “and it ’pears to me 
dat she’s mighty young; looks like you might be 
her father. And now. Miss Nina, I sho does wel- 
come you to dis here place.” 

Nina thanked Jack very much for his hearty 
welcome and the whole crowd roared with laugh- 
ter. 


108 


NINA HILT. 


Mr. Jones then said: “Well^ Jack, take Miss 
Nina’s trunk into her room and we will excuse 
you for the night.” 

Jack replied : ^^A\l right, Mars Robert, but I 

want some of dat good supper dat dey’s been 
cooking all dis week, sho.” 

After supper was served and all the guests 
were seated in llie parlor, all at once they heard 
heavy footsteps and a mighty muttering sound 
in the reception hall. All eyes turned toward the 
dooi*, and, to their astonishment, Polly came run- 
ning into the parlor muttering, ‘‘Where is she? 
Mliere is dat woman ? 1 want’s to see her.” And 

muttered something about Mars William, who 
liad died some years ago. 

Mr. Jones saw Nina was very much frightened 
and he arose quickly and said: “Get out of here, 
Polly, and go back to your cabin and don’t you 
ever come in this house again.” 

Then he turned to Nina and said : “Don’t be 
afraid of Polly, Nina; she wouldn’t hurt you. I 
guess she has heard the other negroes talking about 
you, and she couldn’t wait until tomorrow to see 
you.” 

Nina said : “Yes, 1 will admit that I am afraid 
of her. Who wouldn’t be afraid of an old crazy 
negro blazing their big white eyes at them like 
Polly did at me?” 

Every one present laughed and teased Nina 
about being afraid of Polly. 

After Polly was thoroughly discussed, Mr. Jones 
had tables and cards brought in and games of 
various kinds were indulged in until the clock 
struck twelve. 

When the guests were ready to depart for their 


NINA HILT. 


109 


lionies, rain began to pour down in torrents and 
the whole party was compelled to spend the night 
with ]\Ir. and llrs. Jones. But by the next morn- 
ing the rain had ceased and all the party, wishing 
^Ir. and ^Irs. Jones a long and happy life, de- 
parted to their respective homes. 


! CHAPTER XIX. 

nina's new home. 

Mr. Jones then drew a large bunch of keys 

from his pocket and said: ‘‘Come and go with 

me, Xina, I w^ant to show you through your new 
home.” 

I Xina followed and looked with astonishment, 
f and after they had looked through every room and 
I closet in the house, they went to the cellar, meat 
house and dairy, which were all well filled. 

Xina said: “Mr. Jones, everyone who know^s 
my father considers him a fine provider, but I 
must say this surpasses anything I have ever seen.” 
.She then said : “Mr. Jones, where is Polly’s cab- 
in ? Let’s go in and see her?” 

When they went in, there sat Polly with her 
bonnet pulled down over her face and her feet in 
the ashes, for her fire was almost out, and Xina 
said: “How pitiful she looks.” 

Then she w^alked up near Polly and said : “How 
are you today. Aunt Polly? Are you not cold? 
Don’t you want some more fire and some warmer 
clothes ?” 

Polly made no reply and didn’t even look at 
Xina, but tucked her head and pulled her bonnet 
further over her face. 

Xina turned to Mr. Jones and said: “Where 
are Polly’s clothes ? She hasn’t enough on to keep 


110 


NINA HILT. 


her comfortable.’’ 

Mr. Jones replied: “Polly hasn’t many clothes, 
as 1 haven’t anybody to make them.” 

“Well, I can sew, and 1 will make them some ' 
clothes.” 

They next went to the kitchen, where Louise, 
the cook, was doing her work, and Ann was helping 
lier. 

Anil was ragged and dirty and looked at Xina 
with a silly grin. 

After Nina had talked to her awhile she said 
to j\Ir. Jones: “Ann will be all right when 1 get 
her cleaned up, and I think she will be lots of 
help to me. But it almost makes me sick to think 
of poor Polly, for I think she is a first-class luna- 
tic.” 

After Mr. Jones and Nina went back to their 
room, Mr. Jones handed his keys to Nina and 
said: “Here are the keys to every door on this 
place. Take them; they are yours, and everything 
1 possess is yours now. And I want you to feel 
you are at liome, and be happy.” 

“I am quite sure I am very happy, Mr. Jones. 

1 think I would be a strange creature if I was 
not, when you are so lovely to me. And then we 
liave such a nice, sweet home, which I know I shall 
enjoy very much.” 

“I am so glad you like this new house, Nina.” 

Mr. Jones had just built this house a very short 
while before they were married, and Nina con- 
gratulated Mr. Jones for his good judgment in 
the way he had planned his new house. Slie said 
it could not be improved in the way of convenience 
and beauty. 

This made Mr. Jones very happy, to know that 


NINA HILT. 


Ill 


Xina. was so well jileased with her new home. He 
said : “'X'ina, yon see I have not furnished the 
house yet as it should he as I did not know what 
kind of furniture you liked.’’ 

“1 think the furniture you have is good enough 
for this winter and we will furnish our home 
beautifully next spring,” replied Xina. 

“You certainly are a sensible woman, Xina.” 

^^Yes, Mr. Jones, I think it will be much nicer 
to have everything fresh and new in the spring. 
T think your yard is beautiful and I have already 
selected a place for my flower garden, for I am 
very fond of flowers.” 

i Xina. couldn’t bear to think of those poor, dirty 
and ragged negroes, and very soon she had made 
them both comfortable clothes, and it nmde.Xina 
feel that she had done some good when she thought 
how^ proud Ann was when she saw her new 
clothes. 

Ann fell very much in love with her mistress, 
and Xina soon found that she had a great deal 
more sense than she thought she had when she 
first saw her. 

So Ann was substituted for a house girl, which 
pleased Ann vciy much. . 

Often when Xina had company she would call 
Ann in the reception hall and have her tell who 
slie loved. 

Ann would get a broad grin on her face and 
say, “I loves my Miss Xina.” 

Of course, this made Xina feel good to know 
she had made the poor unfortunate negroes happy. 

Tom Ware did not live a very great distance 
from the Jones home, and, after most all of the 
neighbors had called to see the newly wedded 


112 


NINA HILT. 


couple, Tom, glad enough to have a chance to see 
and talk witli Nina, got in his buggy one after- 1 
noon and went to see them. 

He found both Mr. and Mrs. Jones at home, 
and they received him very courteously. 

After he had been there some time he said to I 
Mr. Jones: ‘Tt seems strange that Nina refused j 
to marry me and married an old man like you.” 

Mr. Jones said; ‘‘Yes, I could not understand ; 
that myself.” 

“I can tell you why,” said Nina; “It is because 
God intended it this way.” 

Tom said: “Well, Nina, you must believe in 
predestination.” 

“I certainly do. Just think how hard I fought 
against marrying j\Ir. Jones when he first pro- 
posed to me, and then of my own free will and 
accord I have married him and am now living 
happily with him. This proves to me that God 
intended that I should marry Mr. Jones.” 

T^om spent tlie afternoon very pleasantly talk- 
ing of old times when he used to visit Nina, the 
only girl he ever loved. 

And since Nina’s marriage Tom has decided to 
live a confirmed old bachelor. 

Tom extended congratulations and went on his 
way home. 

Nina became dearer to Mr. Jones every day, and 
lie praised her to the highest to every one he was 
with. 

He frequently told Nina he wished he had mar- 
ried her when she was first grown. 

One morning he told Nina he was going to the 

city of and have his law^^er, Mr. B , to 

write his will, for life was uncertain and he was 


NINA HILT. 


X A 

liable to die at any time, for he wanted lier to have 
all he left in this world. He kissed Nina and 
left. 

Nina stood and looked at him as he drove away 
and thought to herself that God had never made 
a bettor lieart than Mr. Jones had. ^yhen Mr. 
Jones returned that afternoon, he told Nina that 

^Ir. B was out of town and he failed to have 

ills will written, and that he was going again as 

soon as he thought ^Ir. B had returned to 

town, as Mrs. B had informed him that her 

husband would be absent about two weeks. 

^Ir. Jones often talked to Nina about dying 
and leaving her and would say to her, ‘^Nina, you 

■ Jire very young and 1 shall not ask you not to 
Smarry again, for that would be an unjust request, 
land if you should marry again 1 want you to be 
isure that you are marrying a man who loves you 

■ and will be kind and good to you. There are 
*n limbers of men who would marry you for the 
fi'money I am going to leave you, and when the 
1 money is squandered they would mistreat you. J 
Sam sure I won’t live very long, and 1 want to 
ifeel that vou will live a happy life after 1 am 
I gone.” 


CHAPTEB XX. 

POLLY SENT TO THE POOR HOUSE. 

The weather is getting very cold now, and Nina 
found Aunt Polly to be a great care. She watched 
after her through the day and would go to her 
cabin at night to see that she was comfortubH in 
bed. 

But Polly had a habit of running off when she 
would get out of Nina’s sight, and one very cold 


114 


NINA' HILT. 


day she ran off and spent the day and night. Nina 
didn't know where she was. She had the whole 
ccinniunity searched over, but Polly could not Ije 
found. 

Late the next evening Polly returned home, aP 
most frozen. 

>sina made her as comfortable as she could, 
tlien returned to her room and told Mr. Jones 
that Polly was such a care since she had gotten 
the idea of running away that she thouglit it 
would he best for her to be sent to the asylum, 
where she could be better cared for, for she was 
afraid Polly would run off and freeze to death. 

^Ir. Jones answered: ‘L\ll right, just as you 
say, Nina. 1 think it has been real good of you 
to bear with her as long as you have, for 1 know 
she has been very annoying to you. I am going to 

town tomorrow to see Mr. B about my will, 

and I will have proper arrangements made to 
liave Polly sent to the asylum.” 

When Mr. Jones returned from town, he said: 

B has not yet come home, and some 

men will come after Polly tomorrow morning to 
take her to the asylum.” 

Early the next morning Nina was in Polly's 
room, packing her clothes and helping her to 
dress. 

Polly wondered what Nina was going to do with 
her, and, as usual, began to mutter something 
about Mars William.. 

I Mars William was a brother of Mr. Jones, whom 
Polly was very fond of, and she had talked a great 
deal of him ever since his death. 

Mr. Jones came to the cabin, told Nina the 
wagon had come for Polly, and asked if she was 


NINA HILT. 


115 


reacly to go. 

“Yes,” replied Xina. She took Polly by the 
hand and said, “Come on, Polly.” 

But Polly said: “Where? What is I gwine to 
do, and where is Mars William?” 

“Come on, Polly,” said Xina, “and you may go 
to see Mars William.” 

Polly laughed out loud and walked straight to 
the wagon. 

Both shook hands with her and helped her in the 
wagon. 

Polly went off talking about going to see Mars 
William. 

Xina looked into Mr. Jones^ face and saw great 
tears streaming down his cheeks. This was al- 
most more than she could bear. She went to him 
and threw her arms around his neck with tears 
ill her eyes, and siiid : “Husband, forgive me for 
this, for I would not have sent Polly away had I 
known you hated so much to see her leave.” 

^Ir. Jones replied: “Oh, 1 know it is best for 
her to go, but it makes me sad to see her leave, 
because she has been such a faithful servant to 
me, and I don’t suppose I will ever see her alive 
again.” 

Polly died two months after she left tlie Jones 
home. 


CHAPTEB XXI. 

CHUISTMAS DAY. 

Xina had heard Mr. Jones say he had never 
celebrated his birthday, although it was on the 
twenty-fifth of December, Christmas day. And, 
as Xina was anxious to do everything she could 
to make Mr. Jones happy, she decided that be 


116 


NINA H'tLT. 


slioiild enjoy tliis birthday. A few days before 
(diristmas Aina sent out a number of invitations 
to bis friends to dine with them on this day. 

Of course, all gladly accepted, as they knew 
what a pleasure it was to dine at Mr. Jones’ table. 

Christmas day Mr. Jones was very much sur- 
Itriscd to see his friends gathering in from all 
(juarters, niul he was very much delighted with 
this surprise. 

When the dinner hour arrived the guests found 
the table burdened with everything good to eat. 
Ev(‘ry one did ample justice to the meal, and 
many toasts were offered at the close of the meal. 

Mr. dones entertained his guests that afternoon 
by telling what a fine wife he had, and regretting 
that he had not married her years ago, and the 
guests left, feeling that they had spent one of the 
‘^pleasantest” days of their lives. 

^Ir. Jones had quite another surprise this even- 
ing. 

About eight o’clock the young people gathered 
in from all over the neighborhood and spent a 
delightful evening with Mr. and Mrs. Jones, for 
Xina had been quite a favorite in society and her 
friends were not yet willing to give her up, even 
though she was married. 

A her they had all gone Mr. Jones told Xina 
he had enjoyed her surprise very much indeed, and 
he felt that he could not thank her enough for 
planning this pleasant day for him. 

One day during Christmas Mr. Jones made his 
third effort to get his will written, but, to his re- 
gret, failed. He became somewhat discouraged, 
and he told Xina if he should be taken ill before 
his will was written he wanted her to send for 


NIxNA HILT. 


117 


]\rr. B- to come and have his will written. 

Xina promised she would do so, and this seemed 
to relieve Mr. Jones’ mind. 


CHAPTER XXII. 

THE CYCLOXE AND DEATH OF MR. JONES. 

One day in March Xina said: '^^Mr. Jones, you 
know we have our new furniture ordered, and it 
will be here soon, and what shall we do wdth our 
old furniture ?” 

]\Ir. Jones always considered everything in a 
business way, and after he had studied a few mo- 
ments, he said : will get some carpenters to 

build a room to store the furniture in until we can 
dispose of it in some way.” 

The next morning Mr. J ones and the carpenters 
went to work on the shed and Xina went out and 
watched them for some time, and talked to ]Mr. 
Jones about how nice their old home would be 
when they got their new furniture in, and said: 
^Tlow good you are to grant my every wish, Mr. 
J ones.” 

‘’Oh, I am not good; you know all I have is 
yours to do as you please with.” 

Xina Avent tripping back in the house with a 
light heart. 

t Very soon clouds began to gather and the winds 
began to blow a perfect gale. 

Xina soon forgot all about her new furniture 
and her heart felt heavy and ached as it never 
liad before, and she thought, what can be the 
matter Avith me. Oh, that dreadful Avind; hoAV it 
howls. I cannot stand it. 

She threAv her work down and fled to the yard, 
Avhere Mr. Jones was, and said: “Ain’t this an 


NINA HILT. 


118 

awful wind? Somehow I just can’t bear to hear 
if blow. Do you think we are going to have a 
storm ?” 

“I hope not,” replied Mr. Jones; 'M)ut you had 
better go in the house out of the wind and I will 
be in soon.” 

Nina went back to her room and tried to write 
some letters, but she could not content herself long 
enough to do anything. 

She got up and walked the floor, and went from 
one room to another, but she could not think of 
anything but the mournful howl of the wind, 
which never ceased the whole day through. 

Late in the afternoon Nina and Mr. Jones were 
out in the yard looking at the clouds. Nina 
noticed that the limbs of a large oak tree were al- 1 
most lapping the ground. She told her husband 
not to go near the tree for fear it would blow 
down. 

Mr. Jones replied; “Oh, no, Nina, I am sure 
that tree would never blow down. You see what 
a large trunk and immense roots it has.” 

At sunset the wind had subsided a great deal, 
but the lightning continually flashed all over the 
canopy. 

Just before eight o’clock two girls who were; 
distant relatives of Mr. Jones came running in 
and said: “Oh, Uncle Kohert, we are going to 
liave an awful storm.” : 

Mr. Jones, Nina and the two girls went into| 
the kitchen, where Mr. Jones said he thought 
would be the safest place. i 

Very soon they heard a horrible, roaring sound, 
which, in a very few minutes proved to be a 
cyclone. 


NINA HILT, 


119 


When the cyclone struck the liouse the door blew 
o])en and the window lights flew across the house 
as though the\^ were feathers, and the fire was 
blown in every direction. 

Ann was standing liy the window washing the 
dishes, and when the cyclone struck the house Nina 
hallooed to her to get out of the way of those 
flying glasses. 

For an instant the wind almost ceased, and 
Nina ran and closed the door and locked it. But 
soon the fatal twist came, the door flew open again 
and Nina said: ‘^‘^Lord have mercy upon us,’’ and 
vstarted to the front part of the house with Mr. 
Jones, the two girls, and Ann following her, but 
when she opened the door that led into the din- 
ing room all was dark to her and the house was 
blown to atoms. The inmates were scattered in 
different places. Each one thought that every 
breath would be their last. After the wind had 
■ ceased, hail beat down upon them- for a few mo- 
' meiits and then there was a calm. The moon 
came out and shone as bright as day. 

Nina w’as the first one to regain consciousness, 
and she wondered if she could speak, and then 
she til ought she would try it. 

So she called to Mr. Jones to see if he was alive 
and conscious, for she feared she was the only 
one of the party that the cyclone had left with 
i life. And, to her relief, Mr. Jones answered her 
I and said: “No, Nina, I am not dead, but very 
near it.” 

Then Nina got up and went to him and tried 
to help him up, but his ankle was broken and he 
i could not stand up. 

I Neither the girls nor Ann were hurt seriously. 


120 


NINA HILT. 


and they very soon left Nina and Mr. Jones alone 
among the ruins to go to seek aid. 

Mr. Jones looked pitifully into Nina’s face and 
said: “Don’t leave me, wife.” 

Nina sat down on a sill beside liim and said: 
“You need not fear, Mr. Jones, 1 will never leave 
you.” 

While she was sitting there beside her husband, 
.she saw a big light across the way, which did not 
seem to be far away, and she said : “I wonder if 
that is a fire, and what it can be that’s burning? 
Oil, I hope no one else is in as much distress as 
we are. But I will not murmur, for I know God 
will give me grace to bear my troubles.” 

Soon help came, and Nina and Mr. Jones wxne 
carried to a tenant house, the only building the 
cyclone left standing on the Jones farm. 

Doctor Boyd was sent for immediately. AVhen 
ho came and had examined ]\[r. Jones’ and Nina’s 
wounds and bruises, he said, he didn’t think they 
were seriously hurt. But it would take some time 
for ^Ir. Jones’ broken limb to get well, and he 
also said he would get another doctor to come 
and attend to setting it the next day, and said : 

“Your condition is good, Nina, compared with 
Mrs. Macks’.” 

]\Ir. and Mrs. Macks were two of Nina’s best 
friends. 

Nina said : “Oh, Doctor Bovd, what has hap- 
pened to Mrs. Macks ?” 

Doctor Boyd said: ‘‘Why; Mr. Macks and two 
negroes were burned up in his store, and now Mrs. 
Macks is lying prostrate from grief. And ^Ir. 
Wing, one of Mr. Macks’ clerks, barely escaped 
with his life, and had it not been for a brave 


NINA HILT. 


121 


young lady who pulled the weatherboardiug off 
of the store where he was pinned in, he would now 
he a pile of ashes, as Mr. Macks is.” 

Nina said: “Well, that was the light we saw, 
Mr. Jones.” 

There was no sleep for Nina that night. 

Tlie next morning as the sun was rising Nina 
stood at the window of that humble tenant house 
and viewed the ruins of her once beautiful and 
sweet home. She said : “Oh, 1 must be dream- 
ing, this surely cannot be a reality.” 

Mr. Jones said : “Nina, wonT you please go 
up to where the house was and see if you can find 
any of my papers and notes.” 

So she started to where the house had stood, but 
her heart nearly failed her before she got there. 

She came to the lot first, and there she found 
four big mules dead ; one of them had a rail run 
through its body and sticking straight up in the 
air. The stables and bams were all blowm away 
entirely. 

She then came to the cow lot and found their 
tliree fine cows with their little calves standing 
over them> bleating. She then crept slowly to the 
place where she had had such a narrow escape from 
death. 

Words cannot describe things as they really 
were. The house was entirely blown away, and 
some parts of it had blown half a mile from where 
it once stood. Even the foundations of the chim- 
neys were blown from out of the ground. 

These sights were almost sickening to Nina’s 
heart. Then she walked near to where the old 
oak tree had stood, and she almost gave down 
when she saw the tree had fallen on Aunt Polly’s, 


122 


NINA HILT. 


cabin and crushed it in. The tree was trom up 
by the roots and left an immense hole live or six 
iVet deep. Nina remembered the conversation she 
and her husband had had about the tree the even- 
ing before. 

Slie sat down near the fallen tree and burst into 
i('ars, as she tliought how good God was to spare 
their lives through tliis dreadful cyclone. 

While sitting there she heard her father’s voice 
close behind her. She turned ouickly and there 
was her father coming towards her. Nina arose 
ami advanced to meet her father with outstretched 
amis. She came very near falling, but her father 
caught her in his arms, and said: “Tliank God 
for saving my child’s life. Nina, I can’t see how 
any of you came out alive,” said her father. 

Nina said : ‘‘Jt was God who saved us, father.” 

Mr. Hilt and Nina then began to hunt for Mr. 
Jones’ papers, but found very few, as they were 
scattered everywhere. Some of them were found 
ten miles from the Jones homestead. 

The news of the great destruction of the cyclone 
spread rapidly and soon the Jones farm was 
covered with people who had come to see Mr. 
Jones and the ruins of his home. 

]\lr. Jones appeared to be getting on nicely until 
the fourth day, when he had a little rise of fever. 

Nina was sitting by his bedside, and he looked 
at her, then at the doctor and said: “Dr. Boyd, 
can’t you do something for my wufe’s bruised and 
swollen face? She is the ugliest thing I ever saw. 
She doesn’t look like my Nina at all.” 

Dr. Boyd, being very uneasy about his patient, 
stepped into the adjoining room and called Nina 
to him. Nina knew at once that something was 


NINA HILT. 


12a 

wrong, and she became very nervous and hurried 
to Dr. Boyd. 

J)r. Boyd said: ‘‘N^ina, is Mr. Jonevs’ business 
arranged like he should like to have it if he should 
die?’-*' 

“Oh, Dr. Boyd, do you think there is any danger 
of him dying?” And for the first time she 
thoughl of the promise she had made to Mr. Jones. 

Then she told Dr. Boyd about how hard her 
luisband had tried to get his will written, and he 
had made her promise to have it written it he 
should get sick. 

•‘Well, this must be attended to at once,” re- 
I)lied Dr. Boyd. “We will wait until tomorrow; 
then his fever won’t be so high.” 

Xina said: “Doctor, do you think Mr. Jones 
is going to die?” 

“My idea is that he will not recover,” replied the 
dc^ctor, “for there lias been so much excitement 
and no way to keep him quiet in this small house; 
and you know, Nina, all of his friends went in to 
see him, and he told each one the whole story of 
the cyclone, and has worried so much about the 
loss of his property. This threw him into fever. 
T tell you this, that you may be prepared for the 
worst.” 

When Dr. Boyd took iVlr. Jones’ temperature 
the next morning he found that his fever was not 
very high. Then Dr. Boyd said: “Mr. Jones, I 
have heard that you have tried on several occasions 
to get your will written and failed to do so.” 

Mr. Jones said : “Yes, T have been to see Mr. 

B three times and failed to find him at 

home.” 

Would you like to have your will written this 


124 


NINA HILT, 


inomiiig, Mr. Jones? “^’Mr. B isn’t here, hnt 

'Squire 11 is, and he can write it as well as 

Mr. B , if you wish to have it written.” 

Mr. Jones answered: ‘‘All right, and now. 
Doctor, 1 don’t want any' flaws in my will. 1 
want it made hard and fast, so that nothing can 
break it. For 1 want my wife to have all the 
property 1 possess, both personal and real.” . 

Mr. d ones’ will was written to that effect. 

Mr. Jones then took his will, read it, and signcnl 
his name. 

Then he said : ‘J)octor, 1 want you to take my 
temperature and examine me thoroughly, and if 
you think 1 know what 1 am doing and am com- 
})etent to make this will 1 want you to certify same 
on this will.’' 

After Dr. Boyd had examined Mr. Jones he pro- 
nounced him perfectly competent to make a will 
and certified same on the back of his will. 

From this time Mr. Jones gradually grew worse. 

Dr. Boyd, Nina and ^Ir. Flilt sat by his bedside 
both day and night and did all in their power to 
restore him, but could not, and four days after 
l)is will was written, Mr. Jones passed into eter- 
nity, and left a young widow to mourn his de- 
parture. 

^Ir. Hilt went home at once to break the sad 
news to Nina’s mother, who was in very poor 
health and had not been able to visit Nina in her 
trouble. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

nina’s return to live at her old home. 

^Ir. Hilt told his wife that Nina must return to 
Hilt Home to live. 


I 

I 

i 

! NINA HILT. 125 

! 

Mrs. Hilt replied : ^^Yes, ^Ir. Hilt, bring the 
' poor child back to her mother.'^ 

: i\lr. Hilt hooked the horses to the carriage that 

I Kina had driven so often and he returned imnie- 
I diately to the Jones homestead, and told Nina to 
1 make her arrangements to retura home with him 
I immediately after the burial of her husband. 

I Nina answered: “lliank you father; you know 
I have no arrangements to make as 1 haven’t any 
clotlies save what kind and loving neighbors have 
furnished me since the cyclone. Father, what 
i shall I do with Ann?” 

^Ir. Hilt said he thought it best not to take 
' Ann to Hilt Home as his wife preferred not to 
have her. 

Now what to do with Ann Nina hardly knew. 

1 But she finally decided to hire a man, who lived 
! near by, to take care of her until she could be given 
I lip to the court. 

The next day Mr. Jones was buried by the side 
of his sister in the little family graveyard on the 
hill, where he had often told Nina he wanted to 
be buried. Then Nina bade poor old Ann good- 
bye and told her not to forget her Miss Nina. 

When Mr. Hilt and Nina left for Hilt Home 
Ann looked after them as long as they were in 
, sight. 

As Nina was returning to her old home her 
thoughts went back to the many times she and her 
husband had traveled this road together, and more 
especially of the day when she was a happy bride, 
not quite five months ago. Then she said: “I 
will not murmur; I must submit to God’s will.” 

When they arrived at Hilt Home Nina was so 
weak she could scarcely walk to the house. 


126 


NINA HILT. 


Her mother met her at the door and clasped the 
l)riiised and mangled foiTn of Nina Jones to her. 
heart once more, and led her to the room whicli 
she had not occupied since the night before she] 
was married. 

W'hen she entered the room she fell upon her^ 
Icnees beside the bed that was her’s in her child- 1 
hood and thanked God for His goodness in sparing? 
her life through all these dangers and trials. < 

The next day Nina was scarcely able to raise f 
her head from her pillow. Excitement had keptd 
her up the most of the time since the cyclone, but ^ 
now her nerves relaxed and she was prostrated for 
several days. All callers were forbidden to men-, 
tion the cyclone to her for some time; and she was 
soon able to be out again, but looked very pale and 
careworn. ; 

Her friends did all they could to cheer her up 
and keep her from worrying over the past. Shel 
tried very hard to be cheerful, but she could not 
forget the past. j 


CHAPTER XXIV. j 

THE JONES WILL CASE. ; 

'Mr. Jones had some distant relatives, who, 
very soon after the death of Mr. Jones, informed 
Nina that they were going to contest his will. 

Nina disliked the idea ver^^ much of going to 
court, although she had no fears that Mr. Jones' 
will could be broken, and two weeks after his 
death his will went to probate and the work be- 
gun. f 

So Nina was notified to have her witnesses 
summoned and appear at the next term of court, 
to prove that Eobert Jones was in his right mind! 


NINA HILT. 


127 


w’lien he made his will 

Nina braced up when she received the sum- 
mons and said : “The sooner it is over the better 
I it will be for me.’’ 

She went to the city of C immediately 

Hud employed Mr. B as her first lawyer 

and Mr. S to assist him. 

She liad quite a number of witnesses sum- 
moned and could have had as many more; for 
I ^Ir. Jones had expressed himself so freely to his 
j many friends before the cyclone as to what dis- 
r position he expected to make of his property, and 
he did just what he told his friends he was going 
I to do with it. 

The plaintiffs employed Mr. C ( of the 

city of H , and Mr. H , a lawyer 

who lived at the village near the Jones homestead. 

Witnesses were summoned to be present on 
Jlie fifth day of court, as this was the day set apart 
for the Jones will case to begin. 

On this morning, leaning on the arm of her 
father, Nina entered the court room for the first 
time in her life. 

Wiien she entered the court room all eyes turned 
toward the door and saw a pale-faced, slender 
figure dressed in deep morning walking down the 
aisle, and every one knew this was the widow 
I Jones. 

I When the judge called the Jones will case, the 
lawyers on both sides answered ^^Ready.” 

Next the jury was to be selected. 

. Nina told Mr. B she wanted to be very 

careful lest the}^ should get some one on the jury 
who would cause the jury to hang. 

Then they begun selecting jurors, and Nina was 


128 


NINA HILT. 


pleased with the looks of the first ten chosen, hut 
when the eleventh was on examination and the 
judge asked him if he knew any of the particu- 
lars or had his mind made up in regard to the 
liobert Jones will case, he replied : “1 have not/’ 
Then the judge said: ^^Are you connected in 
anyway to any of the parties interested 
He replied: ‘H am not/’ 

Hot flashes flew over Xina’s face as she said: 

^^Hr. B , will you please ask the judge that 

this man be excused, for to my certain knowledge 
he is closely connected to the plaintiffs.” 

Mr. B did as Nina asked, and this man 

was excused. 

Two others were chosen and examining of wit- 
nesses proceeded for the next four days. 

Nina sat in the court room from 9 a.m. to 4 p.rn. 
and listened to the witnesses on both sides. 

On the fifth day the lawyers made their 
speeches. 

jMr. H spoke first, and his speech con- 

sisted of nothing but abuse of Mr. Jones and Nina 
from beginning to end, which thoroughly dis- 1 
gusted the judge and jury, and everybody in the ! 
court, room was relieved when he finished his i 
speech, ' 

Pat, an Irishman, who was a good friend to Mr. I 
and Mrs. Jones, had listened to this abominable 
speech, and he could scarcely wait until it was| 

ended without interfering, so when Mr. H 1 

had taken his seat, Pat arose and said: “If two! 
or three of you fellows will help me we will pitch ; 
that fellow head-long out of the window and there' 
won’t be grace enough in the chair to save him.” 
The whole audience roared with laughter at 


NINA HILT. 


129 


J’at’y wit. 

The judge who w'as presiding was named Grace. 

Mr. S made the next speech and began 

by saying he had made hundreds of speeclies, and 
his conscience was clear of the fact that he had 
never been guilty of abusing a lady or the dead, 
and said: ‘*Why not let the dead rest in peace.’' 
lie then discussed the evidence and proved to the 
jury that this was Ilobert Jones’ will. 

Mr. C spoke next, and as he had no evi- 

dence whatever to prove to the jury that this was 
not Air. Jones’ will, he made his speech on the 

same line which Mr. H had, and also tried to 

work on the sympathies of the jury, by telling 
them to have pity on Mr. Jones’ niece, who had 
cried so lieartily when she was testifying. He then 
began abusing Nina by saying: ‘‘There sat that 
cold, heartless w'oman staring in your faces and 
siie never shed a tear.” 

He didn’t seem to realize that he w^as throwing 
cold w'ater ont he jury through his entire speech. 

Air. B made the last speech, which w^as the 

best of all, and he was cheered many times while 
speaking. He closed his speech by saying he was 
glad he had a client who was far above crying for 
a verdict in her favor, and said to the jury “she 
asks you for an honest verdict, and, I am sure it 
has been proven to you from tlie evidence that this 
is Kobert Jones’ wdll” 

The judge then arose and said : “Court will ad- 
journ for the evening and the jury will take the 
case the next morning at 9 o’clock.” 

When the court adjourned Nina was very ner- 
vous, as she had listened to these vile speeches. 

Air. E told her that he had no fears what- 


130 


NINA HILT. 


ever of her not gaining the suit. 

'J3ie next morning Mr. B told >iina that 

he thought it best for her not to go to the court 
room when the verdict was read. 

So Nina stopped with a friend, wlio lived Just 
n cross the street from the court room. 

Promptly at 0 o’clock the judge instructed the 
jury and they retired to the jury room, but re- ^ 
turned in. a very short while with a verdict stating 
that they found this to be the Robert Jones will. 

Nina had awaited anxiously but was relieved 

when she saw Mr. C coming across the street 

with a disappointed look on his face. 

I'hen she heard him say to a crowd of men ; 
standing on the street: “Well, they have beaten 
us tins time, but 1 am sure we will beat them when 
We take it to the Court of Appeals.” 

The thought struck Nina instantly that Mr. 

C was talking in this way to try to effect a 

compromise. 

When the jury came out of the courthouse they 
saw Nina standing in the door across the street. 
They all went over and shook hands with her, and 
Nina thanked them very much for treating her so 
justly. 

Nina returned to her home and felt very much. 
relieved that this tiresome week was ended. 

That afternoon Mr. C sent word to Nina ^ 

that if she wished they would compromise, and if j 
she would not they were going to appeal to a ;i 
liigher court. 

Nina sent him word that he might take an ap- i 
peal if he wished, for she would never compromise, j 
So that was the last she heard from Mr. C — — ^ 
for some time. ,1 


NIX A HILT. 


131 


Nina now began to feel like herself once more, 
and she told her mother she hoped there would be 
a calm after such a long storm, as her life had 
been a continual storm ever since the morning of 
11 le cyclone. 


CHAPTER XXV. 

XiXA KiiMIXDED OF HEli TIUSBAXD's WAIIXIXGS. 

Fortunately the cyclone left two of JMr. Jones' 
favorite horses alive^ — Dique, a big black horse, 
which was Xina's saddle horse, and Charlie, Mr. 
Jones’ buggy horse. 

Mr. Jones had often told Xina that Charlie was 
not safe for a lady to drive, and he would never 
permit Xina to drive him alone. But Xina was 
not afraid of Charlie; so after the death of her 
husband she decided to keep these two horses for 
her own use. And she could never bear the idea 
of anyone else owning Charlie, for he was a gi’eat 
pet of Mr. Jones. 

Xarlington, Xina’s youngest brother, was at 
P.usselville attending a theological school, and he 
was expected to return home very soon, Xina 
could hardly wait for him to con\e home, as she 
knew his presence would help her throw off the 
recollections of the past which had burdened her 
life so much. 

Soon after Xarlington came home Xina told 
him of what a fine buggy horse Charlie was and 
said : am so glad you have come home. I will 

purchase a new buggy and you can drive him for 
me. T am not at all afraid of Charlie, but Mr. 
Jones never thought he was safe for me to drive." 

The buggy was soon bought and Xina and 
Xarlington had quite a good time driving, as 


132 


NINA nil T. 


Cliarlie traveled beautifully. 

One day Nina said: ^‘1 believe Charlie is per- 
fectly safe for me to drive now. J never knew liim 
to do any harm. I shall drive him alone today 
and try him once anyho^v.^’ 

Charlie behaved himself nicely and Nina was 
highly pleased with his conduct, and after this 
she often drove him alone, when it wasn’t con- 
venient for Narlington to accompany her. 

One day she drove him to the village for the 
mail, and after she had returned home and opened 
her mail she found a letter written in a beautiful 
band from a gentleman whom she had never seen 
or heard of. He stated that his name was Arthur 
Coleman and lived in St. iouis, and that he had 

just returned from the city of H , where he 

visited relatives, and while there he was standing 
on the street one day talking to a friend when 
Nina passed by them and that his friend re- 
marked: ‘‘There is a lady whose husband was a 
victim of the March cyclone.” 

And Arthur also stated in this letter that he 
liked her appearance and desired an acquaintance 
with her, and asked if she would correspond with 
him. 

When Nina read this letter she remembered the 
warning words of her husband, and she said : 
“How- true his words are proving; and it is only 
three months since his death. I am sure I 
wouldn't correspond w ith any man, more especi- 
ally one 1 never saw^ or heard of before. He surely 
must think I am floolish if he entertains the least 
idea that 1 will catch on to anything of this kind. 
His pocket change must be getting scarce and he 
thinks this a good w ay to replenish it. But he will 


NINA HILT. 


133 

]'e fooled this lime if ho thinks I will answer this 
letter, 1 will treat it with silent contempt, 

for my time is too precious to even notice such a 
man as he is.” 

I “Oh, hoAv J wish I had never gotten this letter. 
It makes me think of my past trouble and how Mr. 
dones warned me about some one who w'ouldn^t l>e 
kind to me. 

“J think I shall be afraid to ever marry after 
: tliis warning, much less to think of such a thing 
now, when my husband is just as fresh in my mem- 
ory as he was the day he died.” 

I She arose and tossed the letter into the waste 
i basket and said : will have Dique brought out 

: and go for a ride, which is much more pleasant 
I than sitting here worrying over a letter that isn’t 
worth noticing.” 

After she had mounted Dique she couldn’t de- 
cide which direction she wished to ride this morn- 
ing. So she gave Dique the reins and said : “Now 
Dique, you may choose the road we wdll travel this 
morning.” 

And of course it was natural for Dique to 
want to go back toward his old home. So he 
chose the road leading in that direction. Nina 
thought he traveled nicer than he had since he 
left his Jones home. She patted him on his neck 
and talked to him as she did in days gone by. 
Dique bore Ins neck with pride, and just now 
seemed to realize that this was his mistress of three 
months ago. 

When they came in sight of the Jones farm 
Dique looked over the fields and neighed, but there 
came no response. When he got in front of the 
gate where the Jones house once stood he stopped. 


134 


NINA HILT. 


A'ina dismounted and rubbed his face and said: 
‘‘l^oor Dique, you are a noble horse.’’ 

Slie then went to the little gra\’eyard on the 
hill, and as she stood there looking at the newly 
made grave she thought what her husband would 
have said had he known how very soon the work to 
deceive her would begin. And she now realized 
how well Mr. Jones understood human nature. 

She noticed the flowers she had planted around 
his grave were growing nicely, and she decided 
that he should have a monument very soon. 

She then turned and viewed the ruins once 
more, mounted Dique and returned home. 

When she arrived home Mrs. Hilt said: ^^You 
tcx)k a long ride this morning, did you not ? 

‘“^Yes, mother,” returned Nina, “1 have been to 
my farm and visited Mr. Jones’ grave, and I have 
decided to erect a monument at his grave. I shall 
start to Clarksville tomorrow to select one. You 
know they do very fine marble work there, 
mother.” 

‘dlow long will you be gone, Nina?” 

^‘Several weeks, 1 suppose. You know Will and 
Sarah have recently moved there, and I will spend 
most of my time with them.” 

Nina packed her trunk and had everything 
ready to take the early train next morning. 

She rose very early the next morning and told 
Narlington to be sure that Charlie and Dique were 
well cared for while she was absent. She bade all 
good-bye and went on her way. 

When she got to Clarksville Will was one of the 
first persons whom she saw, and he told her that 
he and Sarah had been expecting a visit from her 
for some time, and said lie had felt impressed that 


NIxNA HILT. 


135 


!=:he was coming that morning and had come to the 
depot to see if there was any reality in this im- 
pression. 

When Sarah saw W’ill and jSTina coming she 
laughed and said, that Will certainly was a for- 
tune teller. 

Sarah and Xina spent the afternoon and even- 
ing in talking about everything that had happened 
since they were children. 

And the next day they went to the large marble 
works to select Mr. Jones’ monument. 

Nina had never seen marble cut and worked in 
; so many shapes and ways, and it was hard for her 
lo decide what style monument she wanted. But 
' she finally decided on a very handsome one, which 
was made, shipped and placed at the head of her 
; husband’s grave. 

f She had a j^l^asant visit at Sarah’s, but she 
j couldn’t content herself at one place long at a 
; time, and when two wrecks were out we find Nina 
at Hilt Home again, driving Charlie or riding 
Dique every dav and trying to get all the pleasure 
out of life she could. 

Nina was invited to attend a feminine house 
party at the home of a friend of hers who lived at 
a village near the Jones farm, whose name was 
l\frs. H . 

Mrs. H had a lovely home, and Nina had 

often visited there in company with Mr. Jones. 
So on this occasion she gladly accepted Mrs. 
H ’s invitation. 

Charlie was hooked to the buggy and Nina went 
to attend the party. 

Mrs. H seemed surprised to see Nina driv- 

ing Charlie, as she knew Mr, Jones had, never 


136 


NINA HILT. 


risked Nina to drive him, and told Nina she 
thought she ought not to drive him. 

Nina insisted that she was not at all afraid of 

Charlie, and proposed driving Mrs. H to 

church that night, which was about three miles 
distant from there. 

So Mrs. H agreed to go. 

Charlie traveled very nicely as they went on 

their way to church, and Mrs. H , like Nina, 

thought he was all right. 

But after church was dismissed a crowd of boys 
came out and stood near Charlie, and each struck 
a loud popping match to light his cigar, and this 
got Charlie’s metal up and he tried hard to get 
loose from the post, but could not. 

When Nina and Mrs. H came out to start 

liome Nina couldn’t imagine what had gotten 
Charlie so. excited, as she had never seen him in 
this condition before. She talked to him and tried 
to get him quiet and said : ‘‘I am sure he will be 
all right when he gets started.” 

Charlie reared and surged, and two men held 

him while Nina and Mrs. H got into the 

buggy. Nina took the reins and said: “Now go 
along Charlie, and behave yourself.” 

Charlie took them home almost at a two-forty 
gait while Nina held him firmly in the road. 

Mrs. H said: “Nina, this is my first and 

will be my last time to ride behind Charlie.” 

Nina laughed at the idea. 

The next day tlie party was invited to dine with 
another friend who lived a short distance from the 
home of Mrs. H . 

When the buggies and carriages were brought 
to the front gate and all were ready to start, Nina 


NINA HILT. 


137 


was shocked when she looked at Cliarlie and saw 
tliat his eyes were red and he had his ears perched 
up and he did not seem to want any one to come 
near him. 

She felt a little afraid of him at first, and then 
she said: ‘‘Come on, girls; two of you can ride 
with me. I don’t think there is any harm in 
Charlie.” 

The party started on their way. 

The house where they were going was some dis- 
tance from the main road, and they had to go 
through two gates. 

After they had entered the first gate, they found 
the road through the field very rough, and as they 
started down a small hill both of the front wheels 
to Nina’s buggy dropped into a ditch and caused 
the axle to strike Charlie’s legs. 

Charlie jumped and ran as fast as he could 
go. He turned the buggy over and threw the 
girls in a heap in the ditch, then ran as fast as he 
could go, and never stopped for the second gate, 
but struck it center with his head. The gate flew 
open and Charlie fell senseless just after he had 
gotten through the gate. 

\Mien Charlie started to run Nina thought in- 
stantly of the warning her husband had always 
told her about the horse, and now she wished she 
had obeyed him. 

Luckily none of them were seriously hurt, but 
tliey had received several bruises and were jarred 
considerably. 

As soon as Nina struck the ground she jumped 
up and looked for Charlie, but he wasn’t in sight, 
so she ran up the hill as fast as she could, and 


NINA HILT. 


138 

the buggy. She hurried iuid unloosed him from 
tlie buggy before he regained consciousness, 
('harlie soon got up and almost flew across the 
held. 

Nina stood and watched him as he ran. 

Slie said : “31iis is what 1 get by not obeying 
j\Ir. Jones, and 1 will not be guilty of such a thing 
again.’^ 

When tlie party returned that afternoon Nina 
drove a borrowed horse from her hostess, and she 
led Charlie. 

^The gi]’ls had a lot of fun going home, as 
tliey were kept busy whipping the old horse to get 
him to travel. 

One of them told Nina that they were traveling 
on extremes that day, as they went too fast and 
were returning too slow. 

Nina told the girls that night that she had made 
up her mind to sell Charlie as she now knew from 
today’s experience that he was not safe for her to 
drive. 

After this Charlie had a great deal of rest, as 
Nina wouldn’t drive him unless her father or 
Narlington accompanied her. 

^lonths passed, and now Mr. Jones had been 
dead one year. 

We find Nina in society, and the village boys 
and girls count her as one of them again. 

^ir. and Mrs. Hilt rejoice to see her again so 
clieerful, as they had pitied her when she was in 
so much trouble as only a father and mother can 
pity their child. And now they prayed God that 
the rest of her life would be bright and sunshiny. 

One day when the Hilt family was sitting 
around their fireside they heard a knock at the 


NINA HILT. 


139 


door, ciiid when Mr. Hilt opened the door, to his 

astonishment, there stood Lawyer C , who still 

had hopes that Nina could be persuaded to com- 
promise this will case. 

Without waiting to be invited he walked 
straight into the sitting room, looked into Nina’s 
face, bowed and said : '^How-do-you-do, madam,” 
tlien took his seat. "Madam, 1 have come to give 
you one more chance to compromise this suit; if 
you do not I am going to a^ipeal at once.” 

Nina replied: "Sir, you can carry this to a 
higher court just as soon as you wish, for 1 shall 
never compromise my husband’s will with you or 
anyone else.” 

Mr. C said: "Madam, we may keeep you 

cut of your property two years or more.” 

"All right, sir ; it will be good when I get it,” 
replied Nina. 

Mr. C left, thinking that Nina Jones was a 

brave woman and would not be scared into any- 
thing. 

Now his last hope was blighted, and Nina, was 
never bothered again about her husband’s will. 


CHAPTEE XXVI. 
jaMes andekson. 

James xinderson was a young widower who lived 
in an adjoining county, and whose wife had died 
and left him one year ago, with four children, two 
boys a’nd two girls. 

On this particular morning he looked at his 
motherless children and then sat looking in the 
fire for quite a while in a deep study. As to what 
course to pursue he did not know. He had a good 
housekeeper, but he felt that he wanted a com- 


140 


NINA niLT. 


pillion jind a mother for his cliildren. He ashed 
(^od 1o direct him as to what would be best for 
liim to do. 

After he had studied and prayed over tlie mat- 
ler well, the Hilt family entered his mind. He 
knew that ^Ir. Hilt had a widowed daughter. He 
was acquainted with ]^Ir. Hilt, as he had stopped 
jit Hilt Home on one occasion while passing by 
several years ago, but he didn’t meet Nina, and 
didn’t especially care to as he was then a married 
man. 

Now he decides to make an effort to meet her. 
He had a friend, Mr. Tyler, who lived near Hilt 
Home and who was well acquainted with the Hilt 
family. So he wrote Mr. Tyler that he wished 
very mucli to meet Mrs. Jones, and asked where 
lie would be most likely to see her publicly as he 
would like to see her before calling on her at her 
home. He then sealed his letter and hurried to 
mail it and waited patiently to liear from Mr. 
Tyler. 

At last his answer came and Mr. Tyler stated 
that Nina attended church regularly at the vil- 
lage, and he could meet her there on any Sunday. 

James decided that he would go to Mr. Tyler’s 
the next Saturday and attend church at the vil- 
lage the next Sunday. 

The next Saturday afternoon James hooked a 
beautiful .span of horses to his buggy and went 
to ^Ir. Tyler’s to spend the night. 

On Sunday morning he arose early, prepared his 
toilet, hooked up his horses and soon landed at 
the village church to await the arrival of Nina. 

Affcr he got to church he met a Mr. Reed, who 
was one of Nina’s friends and who w^as standing in 


NINA HILT. 


141 


the church yard waiting for the services to be- 
gin. ^ 

After ^Ir. IJeed Iwd conversed with James some 
time lie found that he was well acquainted witli 
some of James’ relatives. 

James turned his eves toward the road and saw 
Mr. Hilt and a lady wliom; he supposed was Nina, 
coming to the church driving Charlie, who was 
stepping very gracefully. 

James causuallv said : Hs that Mrs. Jones with 
Mr. Hilt?” 

Mr. Keed replied that it was. 

“1 would like very much to meet her.” 

Mr. Reed replied : ^^She is a special friend of 
mine, and if you wish I will find out if it is agTeea- 
ble with her to meet you.” 

[ To this James readily consented. 

Mr. Reed went and assisted Nina out of her 
buggy, took her by the arm and started to the 
'church. He said: ^'Nina, I have a friend here 
who wishes to form your acquaintance.” 

As Nina drove up she noticed a tall, handsome 
man wliom she thought looked quite sw’ell, stand- 
ing in the church yard, and as soon as Mr. Reed 
had made this statement Nina knew this was the 
man whom he had reference to. 

Nina said: “Who is he, Mr. Reed, and where 
does he live? Now tell me all about him.” 

After Mr. Reed had answered all of Nina’s 
questions and assured her that Mr. Anderson was 
all right in every respect, Nina glanced toward 
where he was standing in the yard. She said : 
“All right, ;Mr. Reed; I will meet him after 
preaching is over,” and then stepped inside the 
cliurch and took her seat, and began to think. 


142 


NINA HILT. 


‘‘Well, I don’t know whether I ought to meet this 
strange man or not, for people will begin to gos- 
sip, and it will be all over the village and country 
that Nina Jones has set out to get married.” 

But I can’t see that there is any harm in merely 
being introduced to a man, which of course, will be 
the last of him.” 

Services w’ere opened with a good old time song 
and the congregation gathered in. 

And James Anderson went and sat where he 
could see every movement Nina made during the 
services. 

After the doxology was suiiff and the benediction 
pronounced, Nina, as usual, was laughing and 
talking to her friends in a general way and had 
forgotten all about her promise to meet Mr. Ander- 
son. 

Suddenly Mr. Beed touched her arm and said: 
“Mrs. Jones, let me introduce to you my friend, 
Mr. Anderson.” 

After Nina and Mr. Anderson had talked for a 
sliort while, Mr. Anderson said: “Mrs. Jones, if 
agreeable, I would like to have the pleasure of ac- 
(‘ompanying you homfe.” 

This was very unexpected to Nina, as she hadn’t 
accepted any company since she had been a widow 
except the village boys, whom she didn’t consider 
as beaux. 

She hesitated for a few moments, then replied : 
“I suppose it will be all right, Mr. Anderson; I 
came with father and will tell him that T shall not 
go back with him.” 

Mr. Hilt said that would be all right, and when 
Nina and Mr. Anderson drove away from the 
church all eyes looked after them, and everybody 


NINA HILT. 


143 


Vv'oudered who ^^ina’s new beau could be. 

4 he news spread rapidly that Nina Jones had 
set out, and that she had a new heau from church. 

The village boys who had been frequent visitors 
at Hilt Home and whom Nina only considered 
as school mates and neighbors, saw Nina and 
Mr. Anderson as they drove away from church, 
and they decided that this strange man should not 
interfere with their regular Sunday afternoon 
f visits. 

' They decided to go earlier today than usual and 
meet the new gentleman. 

As soon as they had eaten their dinners, three 
of them set off for Hilt Home, and said to each 
other as tliey went on their way, “Well, he wmnT 
stay long after we get there, for we will take up 
all of Nina^s time, and she won’t have a chance 
to talk to him.” 

When Mr. Anderson saw the boys coming in he 
!said: “Mrs. Jones, have you an engagement for 
i this afternoon ?” 

I Nina replied: “I have not; those are some of 
the village boys who come to see me quite often, 

: and especially on Sunday afternoon.” 

Mr. Anderson said : “Well, if I am not intrud- 
[ ing I will remain for a short while.” 

“I am sure it will be no intrusion whatever,” re- 
plied Nina. 

The boys came in and seemed to be very much 
tickled over their plans. 

After they were introduced to Mr. Anderson 
and were seated Nina said : “Ella Moore, a friend 
of mine, is here, and if all of you will excuse me 
1 will ask her to join us.” 

The boys said: “Certainly, bring Miss Elia 


144 


NINA HILT. 


Nina soon returned with Ella following her. 

fShe then resumed the seat near Mr. Anderson, 
where she was sitting before the boys came. 

The boys tried hard to carry out their plans and 
each one directed his conversation to Nina and 
kept her busy the most of the time answering their 
questions and listening to their funny jokes. But 
finally she caught on to their scheme and every 
chance she had would say something to Mr. An 
derson and try to make him feel comfortable. 

Mr. x\nderson also caught on to what the boys 
were trying to accomplish and decided to try to 
beat the boys at their own game; so he asked Nina 
if she would like to take a short drive before he 
left for his home. 

She replied: “A"es, I would enjoy it very 
much/’ and said to the boys/T hope you will excuse 
me. Mr. x\nderson and 1 are going for a drive. 
Ella, will entertain 3^011 while 1 am gone.” 

The boys turned red in the face and said: “All 
right. But they didn’t mean it, for Ella was not 
at all entertaining, for “Yes,” and “No,” was very 
near all they could get her to say. They soon 
grew tired of her and longed for the return of 
Nina and Mr. Anderson, for they were determined 
not to leave until after Mr. Anderson had left for 
his home. 

When Nina and James returned from their 
drive James bade Nina good-bye at the gate and 
said he would like to have the pleasure of visiting 
her again, and he named the date. Nina gave him 
permission to come and hurried to the house. 

When she entered the parlor there sat the boys 
all huffed up at her for leaving them. 


NINA HILT. 


145 


Xiiia. laughed outright and said: ^nVell, boys, 
the table has turned and it is now iny time to have 
some fun.” 

She teased them a great deal about trying to run 
the “green” over Janies and how nicely he had 
turned the joke on them. 


CHAPTER XXVI r. 

XIX A VISITS AIEMPHIS. 

Clara and Frank Gage were living in Memphis, 
and Xina decided to make them a visit, as she 
hadenT seen Clara since that day long to be re- 
membered by Xina, when Clara was married to 
Frank Gage. 

,Xina remembered the many happy hours she 
and Clara had spent together, and thought of the 
many trials she had undergone since last they had 
met. So she decided to start off at once for Mem- 
phis. 

When she arrived there and saw what a pitiful 
looking object Clara was, she at first was sorry she 
came, but after she had reflected a while she said : 
“1 ought not to feel this way, for poor Clara 
seemed to be so glad to .see me. It may be pos- 
sible that my visit may be of some benefit to her, 
and I want to do all the good I can in this world. 
1 shall do all I can to make Clara happy while I 
am in her home, for I know she can’t possibly live 
very long.” 

Xina told Clara, everything she knew that was 
wise and pleasant, but never mentioned the 
cyclone, death of Mr. Jones or any of her troubles, 
as she thought she would; but talked of the good 
timps they had when they were girls, which she 
knew Clara would enjoy. 


NINA HILT. 


UG 

In a few days Clara seemed very much im- 
proved, and she told Nina that her visit had been 
of more benefit to lier than all the medicine she 
bad taken for two years. And she said she wanted 
Nina to remain with her just as long as she possi- 
bly could. And she wished so much that she was 
well and able to make Nina’s visit pleasant. And 
said 1 am afraid you will soon get tired of this 
dull life and leave me, for I know w'hat a jolly 
time you are used to having at the village. 

Nina thought if Clara know how many dark 
days she had spent she would talk in a different 
way. She said: ‘^Clara, I am so glad 1 have 
been a help to you, and I ho]3e you will continue 
to improve. Please don’t worry about me, for I 
am sure 1 will be contented as long as I am doing 
good.” 

Nina saw% to her regret, that Clra W’as not hap- 
]niy married, and she was not surprised at this, 
judging from the start they made on their wedding 
day. 

Frank came in one evening and told Nina that 
Harry Mitchell, a friend of his, who w^as one of 
the professors at the high school, had seeen her 
and desired to meet her, 

Nina told Frank that she hadn’t set out to 
marry, and she never expected to marry again un- 
less she was sure she was marrying a good man — 
one who loved her with a true and manly heart, 
and she thought it unnecessary for Mr. "Mitchel 
to call. 

But Frank said he wished very much for her 
to meet his friend. 

So Nina said she would not l)e contrary, and 
she let the professor call. 


NINA HILT. 


147 


''I'he next diiy Frank called to see Prof. Mitchel 
and told him it would be all right for liim to call 
on Nina some time while she was there. 

A few evenings after this Prof. Mitchel made 
his call. But somehow he didn’t make a very 
favorable impression on Nina’s mind for he was 
entirely too inquisitive to suit her, for he seemed 
to want to know all about her business, but he was 
none the wiser about her affairs when he left than 
when he came. Nina believed in everybody at- 
tending to their own business and in letting other 
people’s business alone. 

Prof. Mitchel was not Nina’s style of a man at 
all, although he was quite nice to her while she was 
visiting Clartu 

A few days before Nina left for her home, Clara 
asked Nina to tell her all about the cyclone and 
how it ever happened that she escaped alive. 

would have told you long before, but it makCvS 
me sad to think of how horrible it was, and 1 was 
afraid it would be unpleasant for you to hear.’* 

Clara insisted, and Nina related all the facts 
about the cyclone and Mr. Jones’ death and what 
a long siege she had in court and had come out 
victorious and stated that God had been her coun- 
selor and guide through it all. 

The whole while Nina was relating this great 
tears ran down Clara’s cheeks, and after Nina had 
finished, Clara said: ‘T find that I am not the 
only one who has trouble.” 

^^Not by any means,” replied Nina, ^^Remember 
it has been said by the poet : 

“ ‘Into each life some rain must fall. 

Some days must be dark and dreary.' " 


148 


NINA IJILT. 


“J think some people have more dark days than 
davs of sunshine. J, for one, have, ’ said Clara. 

‘‘Now cheer np, Clara, I was afraid to tell you 
for fear it would cause you to become despondent. 
Wlien J liave trouble I always try to look forward 
to a better time; and if it never comes in this 
world it will surely come in heaven, where dark 
days never come and all is joy and sunshine 
t])rouoh all eternity.’’ 

"‘Well, T think I shall always try to look on the 
hri<^ht side of everything hereafter; and I can’t 
e.\i)rcss how much good your visit has done me,” 
said Clara. 

have enjoyed being with you, Clara, but I 
am going to leave you tomorrow, for I have an 
engagement that I must till at home.” 

“Who have you an engagement with, Nina ?” 

'‘A friend of mine, Mr. Anderson.” 

“I never heard of him before, Nina. Do tell 
me all about him ? I expect you will be married 
the next time 1 hear from you.” 

‘^No, I don’t expect to marry any time soon, 
and may never. I never met Mr. Anderson but 
one time, and you see he is a mere stranger to me, 
but T like his appearance very well and think he 
would make a first class beau. I don’t suppose he 
Avants to many, and I am sure I don’t care to. I 
Jim free now' and can go when I please, and stay 
just as long as I want to; and, if I w'as married 
] couldn’t do this way. In fact, Clara, T didn’t 
want to go very much while I was married to ^Fr. 
Jones unless he was w'ith me.” 

‘‘Well, Nina, if I were you J never would man-y. 
I am sure if T were single again I would never 
marry any man.” 


NINA HILT. 


140 


“i hope you didn't understand me to say I 
uoidd never marry again. I said, 1 didn’t want 
to marry now, but perhaps I may change my no- 
tion some day. Mr. Jones did not object to my 
marrying again, but warned me to be particular 
whom I married.” 

“Oh, ^vina, there comes Prof. Mitchel to make 
his last call. I wish you two would get married, 
and I would have you live near me.” 

“] would like to live near you very much, Clara, 
but if marrying Prof. Mitchell is my only chance 
I will never be your neighbor.” 

“J can’t see why you don’t fancy Prof. Mitchel. 
] like him very much and so does Frank.” 

“If you want my candid opinion about Prof. 
]\ritc]iel, I will tell you, Clara.” 

“I hope it isn’t bad, ]!^ina.” 

“Well, I call it bad, 1 don’t know what you 
may think about it. My opinion is he is w'anting 
money instead of a wife, and I have no time to 
waste on such a man as that.” 

Xina w^ent in the sitting room to bid him good 
bye. 

He said he only dropped in for a very short 
while, as that was a very busy evening with him, 
and he hoped he would soon have the pleasure of 
seeing her at her home. 

Xina made no response. 

The next morning Xina returned to her home 
after an absence of one month. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 

AT HOME AGAIN. 

Xina told her mother of Clara’s health and said : 
“If I had met her away from home, I would never 


150 


NINA HILT. 


have recognized her, for the rose has faded from 
her cheek, and her pretty brown eyes have lost 
their brightness and she certainly looks pitiful to 
me, mother, and Frank is so cold and indifferent 
and he doesn’t show a bit of love for her. I don’t 
believe he loves her, or he ever has loved her 
very much. 1 believe 1 would lose my mind if I 
had a husband of this kind.” 

Mrs. Hilt said: “Nina, you will have to be 
very particular, or you will be deceived like Clara 
was.” 

hope not, mother, for I am going to be on 
iny guard, and I don’t think I will be de- 
ceived. Oh, that reminds me, Mr. Anderson is 
coming tomorrow, and 1 haven’t asked father what 
he thinks of me receiving gentleman company and 
how he likes Mr. Anderson. You know, mother, 
I don’t want to displease father.” 

‘‘Your father thinks Mr. Anderson is all right, 
and he doesn’t object to his visiting you at all, 
Yina.” 

“How do you know, mother?” 

“I have heard him say so. You know, Nina, 
your father doesn’t want to deprive you of any 
pleasure.” 

The next day Mr. Anderson was a guest at Hilt 
Home again, and he soon became a frequent visitor 
of Yina’s, and began to tell her of his love for her, 
and Nina began to think seriously about the mat- 
ter. 

One evening when she was expecting James, she 
was in a deep study and meditated with herself 
in this manner: “I know I could love James if 
T would only allow myself ; and somehow I believe 
he would make an ideal husband.” 


NINA HILT. 


151 


She heard footsteps on the veranda. Tlien she 
I arose and said: “There he comes now,” and went 
i to the door to meet him. 

She thought she had never seen him looking so 
I handsome before. 

On this visit James took Nina by the hand and 
said: “Nina, I have come to ask you to be my 
wife and a mother for my children.” 

“I think it would be a great responsibility for a 
girl who has no experience of raising children to 
take a mother’s place, and I really feel that I am 
not competent to till this place,” replied Nina, 
i “I am sure there Avould be no trouble of that 
I kind,” replied James, “you say you love me and I 
I believe you do, and I am perfectly willing to risk 
j this.” 

j Nina told him she would give him a definite 
I answer the next time he came. 

I So he left her. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

PROF. ]\riTCIlEL AT HILT HOME. 

The next day Mrs. Hilt tapped on Nina’s room 
door and said: “Nina, there is a stranger at the 
door who wants to see you.” 

“Who can it be, mother ?” 

“I do not know,” replied Mrs. Hilt. “I am sure 
T have never seen him before.” 

Nina first thought it must be one of the plain- 
tiff’s lawyers who had come to worry her again 
about that horrid laAVSuit. 

It had now been about six months since they 
made their last attempt to effect a compromise 
and she had hoped so much that she would never 
hear of it again. And, with a shudder, she went 


152 


NINA HILT. 


to meet the supposed lawyer, but to her astonish- 
ineiit there stood Prof. Mitchel, who was all smiles 
at ilie idea of surprising Xina. 

When Nina saw who he was, her face turned 
crimson. 

She extended her hand to him and said : “Why, 
Prof. ^litchel, I am surprised. I haven’t thought 
of YOU for quite awhile. How is Clara?” 

“Oh, she is all right. But, pardon me, Xina, did 
1 understand you to say that you hadn’t thought 
of me for quite awhile ?” 

“Yes, T believe I did say that T was surprised to 
see you, but I was hardly responsible for what [ 
said as I was so surprised to see you.” 

“I hope it was an agreeable surprise,” and to 
Xiiia’s relief he didn’t wait for an answer, but j 
continued by saying: “1 should have written you I 
iMifore I came, but T had to go to Louisville very | 
unexpectedly to me, and 1 could not pass so near | 
without stopping over to see you. In fact, Xina,, I 
you have a very warm place in my heart, and if you | 
will allow me to tell you the honest truth, when I I 
first saw you I detennined to try to win your heart i 
and hand, and can’t you give me one ray of hope i 
that you love me ?” | 

“I cannot, Mr. Mitchel,” replied Nina. “You | 
are a stranger to me, but T will promise to be your 
friend.” 

Nina tried to change the conversation by stat- 
ing something that occurred when James made 
his last visit. 

Mr. Mitchel said: “Who is this James, Xina, 

I have heard you speak of so often ?” 

“Oh, he is a friend of mine, that’s all.” 

Prof. Mitchel asked Xina if she would like to 


NINA HILT. 


153 


go for a nice drive. 

Nina replied she would go. 

After they had started, Mr. Mitchel said: "[ 
have always desired, to see the ruins of the Jones 
home, as 1 have read so much in the paper of the 
great destruction of that cyclone, and if you ha^e 
no objections we will drive in that direction tliis 
morning.’’ 

Aina said: *^All right, we will drive that way, 
hut tlie ruins have all been cleared away, and the 
Jones farm looks like all other farms now." 

Aina had already caught on to what he was 
after, and she thought: “VVe will drive by my 
farm and hear what he has to say about it.” 

When they came to her farm, she said: ‘^This 
is the noted Jones farm,” and stopped to hear what 
he would sav. 

Professor Mitchel said : ‘‘This is a tine farm 
and a beautiful location and how very much I 
would like to live here, and it would be my delight 
to run such a farm as tliis.” 

Aina replied: “1 never wish to make this my 
home again, for it would remind me too much of 
the few happy days that I was permitted to spend 
liere that were ended so instantaneously by that 
dreadful cyclone.” 

Then the thought struck Nina: “What would 
Mr. Jones say if he could only see her with this 
man who had proved to her by his every act and 
word that he was seeking the property that Mr. 
Jones had left her, and she again remembered how 
often he had warned her of all men like this. A 
shudder ran over her frame and she said : “Let’s 
go home, Mr. Mitchel, T am not feeling well at 
all.” Her head throbbed and breast heaved, and 


154 


NINA HILT. 


she did not hear half I^rof. Milchel said to her 
as they drove on their way home. > 

When they arrived at Hilt Home Nina said : 
“Prof. Mitchel, I hope you will excuse me, as I 
am feeling so badly, 1 shall be compelled to go to 
iiiv room and lie down.” 

Ih-ofessor replied : am very sorry indeed 

that you are sick and 1 hope you will soon be 
better and 1 expect to see you again very soon.” 

Nina was feeling too bad to answer anything 
more he had to say to her. 

She bade him good bye and went to her room 
and fell across her bed, and said: “Oh, 1 am 
so thankful 1 am rid of Harry Mitchel once 
more. 1 ho]x^ 1 shall never see his face again.” 

Mrs. Hilt heard Nina go in her room and close 
the door, which was very unusual, for Nina had 
been in the habit of going to the sitting room 
after her company had gone and telling her fath- 
er and mother something that was said or done, 
or any news her company had told her. 

“1 will go and see what is the matter with 
Nina.” 

She tapped on Nina’s door. 

“Come in, mother, said Nina. I have a nerv- 
ous headache and I came to lie down for awhile.” 

“Who was your company?” asked Jtlrs. Hilt. 

“Prof. Mitchel, of ;^^emphis, mother. You’ve 
heard me speak of meeting him when I was in 
Memphis.” 

Mrs. Hilt said: “I think he is right handsome.” 

Nina said: “Oh, he looks well enough, but he 
is a perfect bore. I was never so surprised to see 
anybody in my life. I expected to find Lawyer 
C or ]\Ir. H at the door, and I dreaded 


NINA HILT. 


155 


80 much to have to listen to some more of their 
woeful pleas. But I had rather listen to the 
lawyers, court and the jury than this man.” 

“Why do you talk in that way, Nina?” 

“Mother, 1 will explain it all to you when my 
head gets easy. 1 don't care to talk about Harry 
^litchel now. I want to be perfectly quiet for 
awhile.” 

Mrs. Hilt returned to her room and left Nina 
t(> hike a rest. 

After Prof. iMitchel had gotten to his homo 
and had studied about his visit to Nina, he said: 
“Well, I think the easiest way for me to pay off 
my debts and get a financial start in this world 
is to marry the Widow Jones. ] don't think there 
will be any trouble about winning her love, so I 
will write to her tliis very evening; for the sooner 
we get married the bettcT it will be for me, as 1 
am compelled to meet a five hundred dollar note 
wliich is due the first of next month. And if I 
can only win her love she will pay this note for 
me, or do anything else 1 ask her to do. I like 
lier well enough 1 am sure, but 1 shall never 
make a fool of myself over any woman.” 

After thus meditating. Prof. Mitchel wrote the 
following lines: 

“Memphis, Tenn. 

“My Dear Nina : 

“Words cannot express how very much I dis- 
liked to leave you yesterday afternoon looking so 
pale and sick. I^hope you are feeling much bet- 
ter today. 

“Nina, T never knew how very much 1 loved 
you until I was compelled to leave you yesterday. 
My heart yearns for you and I cannot live without 


156 


NINA HILT. 


yon, and 1 believe that you love me and if you 
will only consent to be my wife, no pen can ex- 
press bow happy I would be. 

“Your sweet, smiling;- face haunts me every 
moment of nn’ life, and oli, that I could be with 
you now and pour out the flow of loving words 
and feelings in your car that my mind and heart 
contain. 

‘\\ina, ] have a. plan to suggest to you which 
will be a novelty, if you only will consent. 

“1 will call any day you suggest and we will 
go to some point, wherever you wdsh, and get 
married, then return to Memphis and announce 
our marriage. 

“1 hope and believe this will meet with your 
approval, and I shall expect to hear from you by 
return mail. Your devoted, 

“HAREY MTTCHEL.” 

^‘E. 8. Y ina, be sure to name the date for me 
to call for you ; and now let’s keep this a pro- 
found secret. harry."' 

June 25, 18 — . 

After this letter was finished. Prof. Mitchel 
said: ‘AVell, I guess I wdll be a married man 
soon, for 1 am sure most any girl would feel hon- 
ored to marry a handsome man like myself.” 

When Yina received Harry’s letter and Siiw 
that it was from 'Memphis, she said: ‘‘Oh, what 
made that man write to me? I am quite sure 
1 don’t want to hear from him.” 

After she had opened the letter and read it, she 
laughed heartily, and said: “Well, he surely has 
everything arranged nicely. He must think 1 care 
something for him, and T can’t see why, for I 
know I never have given him a particle of en- 


NINA HILT. 


157 


eoliragcment. Well, he has been worrying me 
long enough, and I shall stop him in short order. 
He is silH if he thinks for an instant that I would 
marry him.” 

8]ie then penned these lines to him : 

“Mr. ^litchel : — In answer to your letter of the 
‘^5th, 1 must say that the contents of your gush- 
ing letter does not meet with my approval in the 
t Jeast. In the first place, I cannot retuni your 
' love, and in the next place, I shall never marry 
unless my love is w'ooed and won by a noble, 
manly heart, who will marry me because he loves 
me. 1 look upon marriage as being one of God’s 
I most sacred ordinances, and I shall ever regard 
' it as such, and not like your letter was written, 
as though you were writing to some man about 
buying a farm or swapping horses. This isn’t 
my style of love making. I hope this will be 
the last of our correspondence. Respectfully, 

‘‘NINA.” 

Harry j\litchel w^as perfectly shocked at the 
downfall of his air castles when he read Nina’s 
letter. 

He WTote Nina again and told her she had mis- 
construed his letter and assured her that no one 
could love her more than himself, and insisted 
that she continue to write to him. 

But Nina had understood Harry Mitchers in- 
tention from the first time she had met him, and 
her mind was now' thoroughly made up concern- 
ing him. 

And Harry Mitchel never received an answer 
to his letter. 


158 


NINA HILT. 


' C FI AFTER XXX. 

THE ENGAGEMENT AND WEDDING OE NINA AND 
JAMES. 

Nina, is now looking with joyous anticipation to 
the next evening when James Anderson is to visit 
Hilt Home again, for James has won her heart, 
and she knows that she loves James Anderson; bat 
she felt that this was a great responsibility to 
marry a man with four children, and felt that, she 
could not rear them as they should be. She then 
asked God to decide the question for her, and im- 
press on her heart what would be best for her to 
do. Then her mind was impressed in this man- 
ner: “I believe James will make me a devoted 
husband. 1 will marry him and do the best 1 can 
by his children, and this is all God requires of 
me.’^ - 

The next evening James came, and, after he' had 
been with Nina a short while, he said: “Nina, 
1 am waiting patiently for your answer, and 1 am 
anxious to know if you will he my wife?’’ 

X'ina then repeated tliese lines to him : 

Dear James, God intends 
That you and I shall wed. 

I have prayed to Him for guidance. 

And this is what He said; 

“Do not hesitate any longer 
About your wedding vow. 

I have always been with you. 

And I will not forsake you now.” 

I shall do as God directs me. 

For I am sure He knows what’s best. 

If I only make an effort, 

God will always do the rest. 


NINA HILT. 


15D 


I know He will be with, me, 

If I undertake His care, 

For He said: “Do as I bid you.” 

Now, let us have a word of prayer. 

There they knelt, both James and Nina, 
On that dear old parlor floor. 

And they prayed for richest blessings 
From the One whom they adore. 




When they arose James said to Nina: 

“Now that I am sure of this,” 

And, as a token of love and affection. 

On her cheek he imprinted a kiss. 

Nina w-cnt into her mother’s room after James 
had <rone and said : “Mother, before many months 
have passed 1 will leave yon and father again, for 
J have promised I would marry him in the near 
future.” 

Mrs. Hilt replied : “I know your father and 1 
will be vei*}' lonely and will miss you, but I can’t 
ask you not to marry Mr. Anderson, for I know 
you are young and will leave us some day, sooner 
or later, and, my dear child, I hope you will live 
a long and happy life.” 

“Thank you, mother, replied Nina, and I am 
sure I shall be very happy with James, and, 
mother, you know T shall hate to leave you and 
father so alone, but, mother, 1 will come to see 
you quite often. But Henry and his wife will 
be lots of company for you, as they live so near. 
Soon Narlington will complete his education and 
] am sure you won’t get lonesome then.” 

“Oh, you know T will rejoice when Narlington 
comes home, but I fear he won’t remain at home 
long, as he is to be a minister of the gospel, and 
you know they don’t live at one place long at a 


NINA HILT. 


time, and he may be called far away from home 
to preach any time/’ 

hope not, mother; possibly he may get work 
nei^r home.” 

Then Nina caught Diqiie and went to the vil- 
lage again for the mail. And she got a letter 
from another strange man. It was written in 
beautiful language with several verses of flowery 
poetry. 

She tossed this letter into the waste basket 
just as she had done other letters she had re- 
ceived from strangers, and said: ^‘1 am sure I 
shall never care for any one else but James, and 
I don’t care to receive letters from them.” 

Ora. Williams was a niece of James, whom he 
was very fond of, and he often spoke of her in 
Nina’s presence. 

One day he told Nina he would like so much 
for her to meet his niece. 

So the next letter Nina wrote to James she 
gave him a special invitation to bring Ora with 
him the next time he came to Hilt Home. 

James answered immediately and accepted 
Nina’s invitation. 

So Nina was very busy the whole of the week 
getting ready for her visitor. Miss Williams, who 
was to come the next Saturday afternoon and 
remain a. week at Hilt Home. 

Nina was anxious that her visit should be 
pleasant and she asked the village boys to be 
especially nice to Ora. 

After James had arrived in company with 
Ora, Nina was perfectly charmed with Ora and 
thought she had a real sweet face. She was 
very entertaining, which was also thought by some 


NINA HILT. 


161 


oE the village boys, judging from the frequent 
visits they made to Hilt Home during Ora’s visit 

Nina soon became very fond of Ora and was 
sorry when the time came for her to take her 
departure; and she thought of how much com- 
pany Ora would be for her after she and James 
were married. , 

Xovv the village boys thought Janies was mak- 
ing his visits too often and did all they could 
to interfere. 

They often wrote on the back of Xina’s let- 
ters to James and told him not to come to see 
Nina any more; for him to stay at home and 
find him another girl, etc. 

But this didn’t interfere with James’ business 
a little bit, and he made his visits just the same. 

When the summer months had passed, and au- 
tumn was here Nina and James began to plan 
for tlieir wedding, which was to take place in 
October. 

One day James called his children to him and 
told them he was going to bring a new mamma 
to their home. 

The children thought anything their papa did 
was all right and they were tickled at the idea; 
and they asked papa a score or more questions 
about this new mamma. 

Alfred was the oldest child and was now four- 
teen years old; Beatrice came next, then Charlie 
and Cora, the youngest was seven years. 

They were all very attractive children, and 
their father was well aware of this fact. 

Now their little hearts were full of glee and 
they could scarcely wait for their father’s wed- 
ding day to come. 


ni'na niLT. 


I<i2 

Ora came to assist her uncle in getting ready 
for the wedding, as the time was drawing near, 
and nothing that was done escaped the children’s 
eves. They were sometimes in the kitchen where 
tlie cakes were being baked, then in the parlor, 
bedrooms and dining room, which were being ar- 
ranged by Ora’s good taste. 

When the wedding day came James, with^ Ora 
and quite a number of his friends, set otf ^or 
Hilt Home, where they found Nina with a num- 
ber of her friends around her, all ready for the 
wedding. 

T’hen tliey entered the parlor and Nina was 
married to James Anderson in the same room 
where she was married to Robert Jones just two 
and a half years ago. 

Tliey left immediately after the ceremony for 
James’ home, where they found quite a number 
of dames’ relatives and friends assembled to meet 
James’ new wife. 

d’he children met them at the gate and gave 
their new mother a cordial welcome to their 
home. 

Nina thought this was so good and sweet of 
them. She soon knew them well and felt very 
much at home with them. They all called her 
mother and this, among other things, made Nina 
feel very near to them. She often looked at them 
and thought of how' her mother had died and left 
her when she w’as so young. Nina loved her 
children and she tried to treat them as though 
they w^ere her owm. She liked her home and neigh- 
bors, but quite often her mind would wander back 
to lur dear father and mother at home and she 
was a frequent visitor at Hilt Home. 


NINA HILT. 


163 

Sometimes Xina didn’t go home as often as her 
mother thoiigiit she should, and Jilrs. Hilt would 
say to her wlien she came: 'nVell, Xina, 1 have 
waited and watched for yon daily and it seemed to 
me that you would never come?' 


CHAPTER XXXI. 

XINA MOV^KS TO TIIK CITY. 

Mrs, Hilt rejoiced when Xarlington returiuM 
home from school. She had reared him from a 
haby and she often said she loved him as her 
own child and now she hoped and prayed that 
Cod might give him work near home, so that he 
might live with her and his father through their 
old days. 

One day soon after this, when Xarlington was 
visiting Xina and James, he received a letter from 
^Ir. Hilt stating that he had been called to preach 
to a church near his home and stated Ids mother 
was very happy as he could accept the work and 
also got to be at home a great deal. 

Xarlington returned borne immediately to re- 
joice with his mother at his good fortune; and he 
accepted the care of the church immediately. And 
Mrs. Hilt thanked Cod for answering her prayer 
vvo soon. 

Xarlington was a bright young minister 
and gave entire satisfaction to his church. 

A short time after this, when it was nearly time 
for the fall term of school to begin, Xina said to 
James: H think it is too far for our children to 
have to walk to school, more especially the little 
one, and I think this school is very inferior, any- 
way, and isn't worth the long walks our children 
have to take, and my notion is that it would be 


NINA HI IT. 


164 

a good plan for us to move to the city, where our 
(>hildren can be thoroughly educated without 
trudging through so much dust and mud. 

After James had studied over the matter well 
he agi’eed with Aina and they went to the city and 
purchased them a beautiful home on a lovely and 
popular street. 

After placing their fann in good hands they 
moved lo their new liome in the city, where their 
children entered school. 

A few months after this Nina was the happy 
mother of a little girl baby, whom she called 
lionise. 

The children were very much pleased with their 
little baby sister and Beatrice especially thought 
Louise was a wonderful little creature and she 
often called her her little darling pet. 

Louise had blue eyes and curly hair and was 
almost the image of Beatrice, who was considered 
beautiful. 


CHAPTER XXXII. 

NINA AND CLARA VISIT IIILT HOME. 

Nina wrote to Clara and told her she had moved 
to town, and asked her to come and make her a 
visit. 

Clara wrote Nina that as she was still in very 
poor health she would prefer going to the quiet 
country for a rest from the noise and bustle of 
the city, and said: ^^For old time’s sake let’s you 
and 1 visit dear old Hilt Home once more to- 
gether before I die.” 

Clara also had a girl baby now, two years old, 
and its name was Bessie. 

Nina then wrote Clara that she was going to 


NINA HILT. 


165 

spend Christmas at Tlilt Home and for Clara to 
meet lier There on Christmas eve. For all of Mr. 
and Mrs. Hilt’s children and grandchildren were 
going to assemble there to spend Christmas with 
the old folks. 

Clara and Bess also came, but she didn’t look 
like the Clara of four years. ago when she left Hilt 
Home a bride. 

^rhere were quite a number of grandchildren 
there, but little Louise was her grandfather’s fa- 
vorite of them all, and on the last day of the year 
when the guests were preparing to leave, Clara 
said to Nina, ‘H fear I will never visit Hilt Home 
again, for I know I can’t live long and, Oh, Nina, 
It almost, breaks my heart to think of leaving my 
child, poor little Bess, without a mother and of 
Frank marrying again. I just can’t bear the idea 
of Bess ever having a stepmother.” 

! ‘^Clara, 1 am sure there are lots of worse things 
I might befall Bess than having a stepmother. I 
have a stepmother and I am sure she is a good 
woman, and I am one myself, but I can’t say that 
I am good, but I know I am not mean at heart. 

I love my children and I believe they love me.” 

‘^Oh, Nina, 1 wasn’t thinking of your being a 
stepmother, and I hope you will forgive me for 
speaking as I did. You know there are exceptions 
in all cases, and I don’t doubt but that you are an 
exception in this case.” 

‘‘^Oh, I don’t know that I am,” replied Nina. 
Clara then said : ^^Harry Mitchel isn’t married 
yet, Nina, and I can’t see why you didn’t marry 
him instead of Mr. Anderson, who had all those 
children.” 

‘‘Oh, the very idea of you talking that way. 


166 


NINA HILT. 


(^lara. Why, James is such a dear, good husband, 

I would rather have married James with a dozen 
children than to have married Harry Mitchel, 
whom 1 cannot tolerate.’’ 

Clara said: “Well, I am sure Harry Mitchel is 
all right, and he is a good friend of mine.” 

Nina thought she wouldn’t worry Clara any 
more about Harry Mitchel, as she was sick. So. 
she left Clara and went to seek Sarah and Will. 

Jack Willis had been running the Jones farm 
ever since the cyclone and she thought how nice 
it would be to have Will and Sarah live at her 
Jones home, and she could visit there and feel at 
home once more. She told him if he would go 
she would build a new house and everything that 
was necessary. 

At last Sarah and Will agreed to go. 

Then plans were made for the house and they 
})romised to move as soon as the house was fin- 
ished. 

Then all the children and grandchildren bade 
Mr; and Mrs. Hilt goodbye and departed. 

it had been a custom for Mr. and Mrs. Hilt to 
have their children spend their Christmas holi- 
days with them, and they looked forward to this 
joyful time from one Christmas to the next. 

On this occasion they were very sad as the chil- 
dren departed, and watched them out of sight. 

Nina and James were the last to leave. Nina 
kissed their dear old wrinkled faces, wiped the 
tears from their eyes and said : “Cheer up, moth- 
er and father, we will soon meet again. 1 am 
coming back to see you real soon.” 

Tlien Mr. Hilt smiled and blessed little Louise, 
and Nina and James started for their home. 


NINA HILT, 


167 


After t]iey had gone ^Ir. Hilt said to his wife: 
‘tXina is a dear, good girl. She has always been 
a dutiful child, and she is the image of her moth- 
er and she reminds me of Mary every time I 
look at her. ife, it won't be long before we have 
a family reunion in heaven, where there will be 
no partings. Just* think, a few years ago we had 
six children at home and now only one left, and i 
hope God will permit liim to remain with us the 
remainder of our lives, for I am sure it won’t be 
very long.” 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 

. MU. AND MKS. HILT VISIT NINA. 

' After Xina and James got home that day, Xina 
said : James, it made my heart ache to see those 

dear old people mourning for their children and 
' to think how lonesome they are since we left them. 
Xow, let me see, 1 believe 1 will write to them to 
come and make us a visit, and if they should 
come, we will try to make their dear souls happy 
while they are here. You know mother has never 
made us a visit and 1 am determined she shall 
come if T can possibly persuade her to leave home. 
;Eor mother has'stayed at home so long she doesn’t 
even care to go anywhere except to church. 

I “That is the very thing to do,” replied James. 

Xina wrote to her parents to come at once, and 
the next afternoon when Mr. Hilt returned from 
jthe village, he said : “Wife, 1 have a letter from 
iXina.” 

j Mrs. Hilt said : “Oh, Mr. Hilt, what has hap- 
jpened ? 1 hope none of them are sick, and how 

(came Xina to write so soon after they got liome? 
Do tell me ?” 


1G8 


NINA HILT, 


‘Must stop talking a minute and I will tell you. 
Well, Auna and James are anxious for you 
and I to make them a visit, and you know you 
liave never been to see Nina since she moved to 
the city, and I really think we ought to go. What 
do vou think about it, wife ?^' 

Mrs. Hilt said: “I would like very much to go, 
hut it is so far to the city I am almost afraid 
to undertake the trip.” 

Mr. Hilt said : “It wouldn’t seem very far, as 
they would go on the train and would get to the 
city almost before they were thinking (^rbout it.” 

When ^Irs. Hilt saw how anxious liiJt* husband 
was about the visit she consented to go^ with him. 

So they wrote Nina and named the day they 
were coming. 

Nina went to work to try to arrange the house 
so as to look its prettiest and prepared the best 
bedroom for them. 

Soon they came and Nina ran out to meet them 
and said : “Mother, are you very much exhausted 
from your ride ?” 

“No, not in the least,” replied Mrs. Hilt. 

Nina took her mother and father out in the ci^y 
quite a good deal and did everything she could for 
their pleasure while they were visiting her home. 

But Mrs. Hilt couldn’t content herself away 
from Hilt Home very^ long so they hade Nina 
goodbye and returned home, after a three days’ 
visit to Nina and James, and told Narlington and 
her neighbors of her delightful visit to Nina’s 
home in the city. 


NINA HILT. 


1G9 


CHAPTEH XXXIV. 
claua's death. 

Vv lien Clara left Hilt Home on New A'ear’s day 
slie went to spend several days with Frank’s peo- 
ple at his old home. She then returned to Mem- 
phis, almost exiiausted and was com}>elled to take 
to her bed, and soon the sad angel of death wafted 
her soul to her eternal home. 

The morning after her death Xina read the 
notice of her death in a Memphis newspaper ami, 
of course^^ttifs was very sad news to Xina. She 
ihoughCoi Clara’s life from a school girl to the 
present time, then slie penned these lines to Clara’s 
memory : 

When she was young her heart was gay, 

Her life was joy and bright. 

But on her eventful wedding day. 

Her joy and sunshine turned to night. 

And, O, just think how she and I, 

Upon her wedding date. 

All decked with violets and roses, 

Watched the front lawn gate. 

Expecting every moment 
Frank and George to see. 

With radiant, smiling countenance, 

And as happy as they could be. 

' 1 
When the clock struck three. 

And yet they hadn’t come, 

Clara’s form began to tremble 
As she walked across the room. 

She then turned and said to Nina, 

“I wonder why they are so late? 

Surely Frank has not forgotten 
That two o’clock was the date.” 


170 


NINA HILT. 


Then Nina, with much love, 

Embraced Clara’s trembling form, 

And said, “Be patient, Clara, dear, 

I’m sure Frank soon will come.” 

When the clock struck four. 

And y«t Frank hadn’t come. 

The wedding guests impatient grew, 

And left the parlor room. 

And now Clara, pastor and guests 
Were waiting for Frank to arrive; 

Some walked the lawn, some the road, 

And soon the clock struck five. 

“What shall I do,” pale Clara cried. 

And from her bosom the flowers tore. 

And tossed them , into Nina’s hands, 

And said, “I ne’er will wear them more.” 

Then she said, “I cannot stand 
To meet the outside world. 

For you know how people always talk 
About a jilted girl. 

“O, God, hast Thou forsaken me now? 

If thou my faith would try. 

I’d gladly lay me down to rest, 

If Thou wilt let me die.” 

Then Nina turned her eyes once more 
Toward the Hilt lawn gate. 

And there were coming Frank and George, 
Just now four hours late. 

When they came in Nina said to them, 

“Oh, tell the reason why 
You’ve kept us waiting so long. 

And Clara has prayed to die.” 

Neither Frank or Clara spoke 
That day before they wed. 

And George and Nina could plainly see 
That they w'ere very mad. 


NINA HiLT. 


171 


Then Nina said, “Let’s go right now 
And have this wedding o’er.” 

There was nothing ever equaled this 
In all this world before. 

And there they stood upon the floor, 

In the presence of God and man, 

And promised God to love, Clara and Frank, 
As they held each other’s hand. 

The preacher then said, “Husband and wife 
I pronounce you now to be, 

And never dishonor or forsake, 

Until you enter eternity.” 

But Clara felt down in her heart 
That trouble would be her fate. 

Since Frank upon their wedding day, 

Was just four hours late. 

Sure enough, it was as she had thought; 

Her life was far from bright; 

It’s true she had some sunny days. 

But many were dark as night. 

And now, that God has taken her 
To dwell with Him on high, 

Where all is joy and peace and love, 

' And no one ever die. 

She will receive a just reward 
For all her trials here, 

And all her days will be sunshine, 

And none of them drear. 

And now, dear Clara, I believe 

And hope-Ull meet you in that land, 

Where I can see dear Jesus Christ 
And hear that heavenly band. 


17: 


NINA IIILT. 


CHAPTER XXXY. 

DEATH OF MI{. AND MRS. HILT. 

When little Louise was two years old God sent 
lier a baby sister whom flames and Xina called 
Elizaiieth. 

I’diza belli was a big fat baby and soon was al- 
most as large as Louise. After they had grown 
older people often took them, to be twins. 

Between the two they managed to keep tlieir 
mother busy looking after them. But Xina con- 
sidered this a great pleasure, as she was a very 
fond motlier. 

One day two years later when Xina was busy 
amusing her little girls, she heard a familiar voice 
in lici* yard and hastened to the door, and there 
slie met her father and mother. 

Xina said: “Oh, what an agreeable surprise 
this is, mother ; come in and lie down to rest, then 
you will feel all riglit.” 

After Mrs. Hilt had kissed and loved Louise, 
Elizabeth and all the children, she lay down to 
rest. While lying there she said, “Xina, I am 
making my last visit to see you and James, 1 sus- 
pect, for 1 am sure my time on earth is short.^’ 

“Oh, mother, 1 hope not. You may live quite 
a long time yet.” 

“Xo, it cannot be, for my health is poor,” re- 
plied Mrs. Hilt. 

When Mrs. Hilt and her husband were ready to 
depart for their home, she kissed Xina and the 
children goodbye with tears in her eyes. 

Little did Xina think that this would be the last 
time she would ever see her dear old mother alive, 
altliough she know she was getting old and had 
poor health. 


ms A HILT. 


173 


One inornino- about three weeks after this Nina 
heard a sliarp ring at her door. She hastened to 
open it and there stood the telegraph boy, who had 
a telegram for Nina. 

Nina’s heart leaped to her throat. She said, 
“Oh, what can it be?” She read it and found it 
was from her father. She tlien read again : “Nina,, 
come home. Your mother is dead.” 

Nina burst into tears, and said: ^^How can 
tliis be possible? I canY realize that mother is 
dead. She surely must have died very suddenly.” 

She telephoned for James and they started on 
their way to Hilt Home, which was now a house 
of mourning. 

Nina said: ‘‘I must brace up before I get 
home, on father’s account, for I know he is almost 
heartbroken. But, to Nina’s astonishment, when 
she arrived at her home, her father appeared very 
calm, and, witli a smile on his face, he said: 
^‘Xina, it is God’s will, and we must submit. Y'our 
mother has gone before and very soon I wdll fol- 
low, where 1 will meet with Jesus and both of 
your mothers.” 

The 'next day while ^Irs. Hilt’s funeral was 
being preached, Mr. Hilt, with his children gath- 
ered around him, sat near her coffin with a bright 
and shining countenance. 

When Nina noticed her father’s expression she 
wondered what on earth could be the matter with 
her father, as she hadn’t seen him shed a tear, and 
she had never seen his face look so bright before. 

After the burial of IMrs. Hilt and the family 
had returned to the lonely home, Nina said : 
^^Now, father, as you and Narlington are left 
alone, I want you to go to the city and live with 


174 


NINA HUT. 


James and I.” 

Mr. Hilt replied that lie didn’t know yet what 
lie would do, but he thought he would spend the 
few remaining days at Hilt Home. 

The next morning James returned home. Xina 
said slie would remain with her father until he 
had determined what he would do. 

When Mr. Hilt talked about His wife, he spoia-’ 
as though she had gone on a visit and that he 
expected to see her again, soon. 

Four days after the death of i\Irs. Hilt, wlion 
Mr. Hilt arose that morning he complained of 
not feeling well at all, and, that afternoon, he, 
Nina, and X^arlington were sitting on the front 
veranda talking of what would be best for them 
to do, and Nina noticed that her father quit talk- 
ing very suddenly and looked at him to see what 
was the matter. She arose quickly and said, : “Oh, 
what is the matter with father ?” 

His eyes were set and he was as pale as death. 

Narlington gathered him up, carried him to his 
room and laid him on his bed, and he soon passed 
into that heaveny home to meet Jesus and his loved 
ones. 

Of course, this was an awful shock to Nina and 
Narlington. 

Soon Nina’s nerves relaxed and she was pros- 
trated. The doctor was sent for and when he 
came Nina said: “Oh, doctor, I haven’t any 
more feeling than a marble statue. Oan it be 
a reality that my father is dead, or am 1 dream- 
ing? And I cannot shed a tear. I believe I shall 
die. Ho some one telegraph for James to come to 
me.” 

Then she prayed Clod to come and help her bear 


NINA HILT, 


175 


j this great trouble. 

•The news of Mr. Hilt's death spread rapidly 
and the house was soon full of sympathizing 
friends. Among them was the village pastor, who 
! came to comfort the orphan children. 

As soon as Xina saw him she called him to her 
and said: ‘'Oh, pray God that I may be able to 
bear this burden, fbr the sake of my husband and 
children.^’ 

Then the minister dropped on his knees and 
prayed an earnest prayer to God for Xina’s spe- 
cial benefit. 

When James arrived at Hilt Home that night, 
Xina. was somewhat relieved, as he tried to con- 
sole her as best he could. 

She was able to be up for the funeral the fol- 
lowing afternoon, and all of Mr. Hill's children 
gathered around their father’s coffin in the par- 
lor where Mrs. Hilt’s funeral had been preached 
four days ago. 

It was revealed to Xina during his funeral why 
her father never grieved for her mother. 

Mr. Hilt was carried to the little graveyard and 
buried by his two wives. 

I It was very sad indeed for Xina to return to her " 
I old home after the burying, with neither father 
!or mother there. She felt that Hilt Home would 
never be home to her again. She went into her 
father’s room and almost melted in a flood of tears. 

Louise nor Elizabeth could understand why 
their mother was so much grieved. They went 
'and laid their little heads on their mother’s lap 
and said, "Mother, who’s going to take my grand- 
pa and grandma out of them big holes.” 

When Xina listened to them she ’'.imembered 


176 


NINA HILT, 


how very much her 'father and mother liad loved 
her two little girls. 

She studied for a while wliat to tell them, for 
siic didn’t want to grieve their little hearts; she 
brushed away the fiilling tears and said, ‘‘My 
darling babies, God will take them out.” 

She then thought of Narlington, who was al- 
most heartbroken. 

She went to his room and said: “Xarlingtoii, 
I am going to leave here tomorrow, and yon must 
go with me. I will help you pack your clothes 
and you must take all you have, for my house is 
your home from this on. James welcomes you 
just the same as 1 do.” 

“God bless you, sister,” replied Narlington. “f 
am glad to accept your offer. You know 1 will be 
gone to my work a great deal of the time, but I 
want to have some place I can call home.” 

Arrangements were made with Johnson to care 
for Hilt Home until it could be otherwise disposed 
of. Then each of the other children departed for 
their homes. 

Xarlington went to live with Nina. 

A few months after this Hilt Home was sold 
to a strange man. 

After Xina had returned from the sale she wrote 
the following poem : 

Dearest mother, God saw flt 

To call thee to thy heavenly home. 

And ere you entered that heavenly gate 
He bade dear father come. 

Our dear old home is lonely now 
Without mother and father dear, 


NINA HILT. 


17T 


The sunshine has almost gone out 
And all is dark and drear. 

I cannot see thy smiling face. 

Or hear thy welcome voice 
To greet us at dear old Hilt Home, 

To make our hearts rejoice. 

Oh, how my heart did ache 
When our Hilt Home was sold. 

For it has been far dearer to me 
Than rubies, pearls, or gold. 

I know that I ought not to grieve 
About this little sale. 

For father and mother would not come back, 
Since they have passed beyond the vale. 

Your dear old home has passed 
Into a stranger’s hand. 

But brighter far is your sweet home 
In that celestial land. 

I would not have you back again 
In this old world of woe. 

For soooner or later God’s summons will come. 
And you would have to go. 

God has called you on before 
To that heavenly home, 

But you will not wait there long 
Before each one will come. 

God knows what’s best for one and all, 

And we must submissive be. 

To all his wond’rous works and ways 
If we His face would see. 


CHAPTER XXXVI. 

CONCLUSION. 

Two years after the death of Mr. and Mrs. Hilt 
Xarlington was called to a, church in Tennessee. 


178 


NINA HILT. 


He told ^ina he hated to leave her, but he must 
go where God called liini. So he bade them all 
good bye and left to take charge of his new work, 
*jnd Nina's love and prayers followed him. 

Now Alfred is almost a man and is attending 
(‘ollegei at Lexington. He is a very bright scholar 
and is a great pleasure to his teacher, as well as his 
parents, who always look forward with pleasure to 
Alfred^s visit home during vacation. 

Beatrice is now a beautiful blonde of eighteen 
summers and attracts a great deal of admiration 
wherever she goes, and is also very popular in so- 
eietj^ At the age of twenty she was married to a 
young mercliant who lived in a neighboring city. 

Alfred graduated with honor and returned home 
to attend his sister’s wedding, but soon left for 
N ew Orleans to accept a prominent position. 

Gharles has a good business in his home town. 

C.^ora will graduate with honors at the next com- 
mencement. 

•' ‘Narlington served his church in Tennessee two 
years. While there he visited Nina quite often 
and she wished very much that he would continue 
to serve this church. 

But one day he came to the city and told Nina 
that he had been called to a church in the West, 
and th^ij. he was then on his way to try the West 
for awhile ; and if he didn’t like the West he wwld 
return to <his old Kentucky home. 

After he had been there a while, he wrote Nina 
that he liked his new home and work fine, and he 
supposed he would make the West his home. 

Every letter he wrote he seemed to be better sat- 
isfied.- 'Add finally he wrote Nina that he had 
fouhd a' giTl whom he knew he could love, and 


NINA HILr. 


179 


wanted Nina’s opinion aliout his getting married. 

Nina wrote him that she would be glad if he 
w'ould marry some sweet lady w'liom he could love 
and be happy with, but she couldn’t help but laugli 
at tlie idea of Narlington getting married. 

When James came home that evening she said: 
‘‘Narlington wTites like he is in earnest about get- 
ting married, but 1 won’t believe it until he is mar- 
ried. It seems funii}’ to me to think of him get- 
ting married, for he has ahvays been such a pet 
at home. 1 hope if he should marry he wvill marry 
a good woman wiio will pet and humor him as 
mother did. You know', James, mother called 
him her baby after he w^as six feet tall. I don’t 
expect his wife to do this, of course, but I hope the 
lady he marries will pet him some and not w^ait 
for him to do all the petting, like lots of women I 
know.” 

James said: “I think Narlington is getting old 
enough not to want much petting now'.” 

“Oh, I don’t believe be ever wdll be so old that 
he will not w'ant to be humored and petted.’’ 

“When did he say he w^as going to get mar- 
ried ?” 

“He didn’t name the date, but from the w'ay he 
w'rote I think it w'ill take place very soon, and the 
funniest thing to me is that she is a wddow' lady.” 

James said : “I guess she is a 3'oung widow' like 
you w'ere before 1 married you.” 

“Yes, James, 1 know' I w'as a widow' and you 
were a w'idower. I think it is all right for wid- 
ow'ers and widows to marry each other. But 3'ou 
know' Narlington has never been married.” 

The next letter Nina received from Narlington 
he named the date of his w'edding, and he stated 


180 


NINA HILT. 


that he and his bride were coming to Kentucky to 
make Kina a visit soon after they were married, 
as Ids wife was very anxious to visit Kentucky. 
She had often heard that it was the best State in 
the Union. 

'Idle morning Xarlington was married Nina told 
lionise and Elizabeth that this was their uncle’s 
wedding day and that he was going to bring their 
new aunt to see them soon. 

'riiey clapped their little hands and said : ‘^Oh, 
mother, we just can’t wait to see them.” 

d’hen both seemed to be in a deep study; then 
Louise spoke up and said, “Mother, do you sup- 
pose uncle will love us as much as he used to be- 
fore he married ?” 

“I don’t see why he shouldn’t,” replied Nina. 

Then Elizabeth turned her bright eyes and look- 
ed into her mother’s face and said : “Mother, do 
you suppose he will give us nickels like he used 
to?” 

“Why, yes, of course he will, baby.” 

Narlington telegraphed Nina that he would 
(‘ome on the evening train; the train was late, 
hut Louise and Elizabeth could not be persuaded 
to go to bed. At last they heard the train whis- 
tle and Narlington and his wife were soon ush- 
ered into the room, where they were met by four 
hidght eyes. 

The children sprang forward and clung around 
their uncle’s neck. They then welcomed their 
new aunt with kisses, 

xVfter Narlington and his wife had spent a 
month with Nina they returned to their Western 
home. 

One day, about five years after the death of 


NINA HILT. 


181 


Mr. and Mrs. Hilt, Nina told James that her 
heart yearned to go back and see her father and 
mothers grave, the home of her childhood and also 
the dear old village, and said, “I would like to 
have you go with me.” 

flames was always ready to do anything he 
could for Nina’s pleasure, so he agreed to accom- 
pany her. 

So Nina and James set off on their visit. When 
they came to the village they found that Dr. Boyd 

had moved to the city of C , and Mrs. Belle 

had died and a family of negroes were living in 
her beautiful home of long ago. And the dear old 
church that Nina had loved so much had been 
tom down and moved away. And all of Nina’s 
friends liad gone and the village is now inhabited 
by negroes. After she liad gone to all parts of 
file village, she said, ‘‘James, let’s go to Hilt 
Home. ] hope it will look natural to me, I 
never saw any place change as much and go to 
rack like the village has.” 

So they went on their way to Hilt Home, and 
wlien they stopped at the lawm gate Nina ve- 
gretted very much that she had come, for she could 
hardly recognize that to be Hilt Home. 

All the beautiful forest trees and evergreens 
had been cut down and the front lawn looked like 
a little field with the hot sun beaming down on 
it. The house had changed equally as much as 
the lawn. 

Nina then led the way to the little graveyard 
where her father and mothers and brother Lee 
i*ested. Lee had died when quite a child. She 
knelt beside her father’s grave and said, “Oh, 
dames, if father could only see the great changes 


182 


NINA HILT. 


of the home he loved so well, what would he 
think? But father has gone to the world where 
there are no changes.” 

Nina went home feeling that she never cared 
to see Hilt Home again, as it didn’t have the 
least resemblance to the Hilt Home of old. 

Nina and James’ family has gotten very much 
smaller. Louise is eleven and Nina nine years 
old, and both are bright and lovable children. 
They are the pride of their mother and the pets 
of their father. When Nina looks at them she 
often thinks and knows that God intended that 
her life thus far had been spent just as He in- 
tended it should be, and that these two girls had 
been given her to love and comfort her in her old 
age. 

She is now living a happy life with James 
and her children in her beautiful home in the 
city. And when she looks back over the many 
dangers and trials she has endured these verses 
of a dear old hymn she had often heard her father 
sing in days gone by pass through her mind and 
she says they just suit her life exactly: 

Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares 
I have already come; 

’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far. 

And grace will lead me home. 

The Lord has promised good to me. 

His word my hope secures; 

He will my shield and portion be 
As long as life endures. 

THE END, ' 


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